With lower than three months to go for the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024, India are but to zero in on a chef de mission for the contingent.
Boxer MC Mary Kom – a bronze-medalist from the 2012 London Olympics – was appointed the chef de mission for the Indian contingent in March, with Winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan because the deputy chef de mission.
Together with them, former rifle shooter-turned-coach Gagan Narang, a bronze medallist from the 2012 London Olympics, had been put in command of India’s taking pictures contingent that may compete in Paris.
Nonetheless, on Friday, Kom stepped down from the position citing private causes.
“I take into account it an honour to serve my nation in each manner attainable, and I used to be mentally ready for it,” learn Kom’s letter addressed to the Indian Olympic Affiliation President PT Usha. “Nonetheless, I remorse that I will be unable to uphold the distinguished duty and want to resign, owing to private causes.”
Whereas it stays to be seen who’s now appointed for the position, right here’s a have a look at what a chef de mission is and what duties does that position entail.
What’s a chef de mission?
Translated instantly from French, chef de mission or “head of mission” is an individual appointed to guide and characterize a nationwide delegation of athletes at a multi-sport occasion, such because the Olympic Video games, Commonwealth Video games or the Asian Video games.
The position of a chef de mission is multifaceted and consists of varied tasks. Moreover main the nation’s delegation, in addition they function a mentor, supporter, and cheerleader, aiming to stimulate and encourage the group and boosting the athletes’ performances.
Duties of the chef de mission
The chef de mission’s main duty is to function the group’s spokesperson within the lead as much as and throughout the multi-sport event. In consequence, their tasks start months earlier than the Video games, after they attend actions resembling preparatory seminars for athletes, coaches, and Mission Workforce members, in addition to serving on varied Video games committees.
In a nutshell, the chef de mission is chargeable for overseeing the seamless operation of the nationwide delegation and fostering a nice and supportive setting by which athletes can flourish of their explicit sports activities.
Occasions such because the Olympics are often well-organised and therefore there are much less hiccups however in case conflicts or controversies come up, the chef de mission intervenes. It requires a diplomatic and wise contact to resolve any disputes or challenges in an efficient method.
Why are they vital to athletes?
At main multi-sport occasions, the chef de mission advocates for the delegation’s wants and pursuits, each throughout the Video games’ organising physique and with key stakeholders. They assure that the delegation has the assets and assist it must succeed.
In an Olympics Video games, for example, they supervise logistical operations, organise journey logistics, talk with the host nation’s Olympic organising committee, making certain adherence to Olympic protocols, resolve any potential points or conflicts, and supply help and steerage to athletes and group members all through the Video games.
To quote an instance, the Rio Video games have been threatened by the Zika virus in 2016 and a number of other worldwide athletes had withdrawn from the occasion because of the identical. As concern across the participation of Indian athletes began to mount, Rakesh Gupta, India’s chef de mission then, stepped up and clarified that the Indian Olympic Affiliation had taken sufficient measures to teach the athletes concerning the virus and all of the preventive measures had been taken to make sure their well-being.
Equally, in 2021 in Tokyo, the Indian group’s Chef de Mission, Biren Prasad Baishya was tasked with making certain the security of Indian gamers on the Video games Village when a optimistic Covid-19 case was reported within the premises.
Notable chef de missions for India
Listed here are some chef de missions who’ve represented India at varied worldwide multi-sport occasions in latest occasions:
Rakesh Gupta: The previous joint secretary Rakesh Gupta of Indian Olympic Affiliation was appointed the chef de mission within the Rio Olympics 2016.
Vikram Singh Sisodia: The previous joint secretary of Indian Olympic Affiliation was appointed the chef de Mission for the twenty first Commonwealth Video games 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh: Former Wrestling Federation of India president was appointed the chef de Mission of the Indian contingent for the Asian Video games 2018.
Biren Prasad Baishya: Baishya, then president of the Indian Weightlifting Federation was appointed because the Chef de Mission for India on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which came about in 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Rakesh Anand: The Indian Olympic Affiliation senior vice-president on the time had been chosen as India’s chef de mission for the Birmingham Commonwealth Video games in 2022.
Bhupender Singh Bajwa: The present president of the Wushu Affiliation of India was the chef de mission on the Hangzhou Asian Video games in 2023.