Runner Jaisha Blames Officials’ Negligence For Failure at Rio

Jaisha had collapsed at the finish line after completing the marathon and had to be rushed to a hospital.

Jaisha Orchatteri Puthiya Veetil is India’s national record holder in the women’s marathon event. (Photo: ANI screengrab)

Jaisha Orchatteri Puthiya Veetil is India’s national record holder in the women’s marathon event. She’s run the just over 42 kilometre race several times in her life.

However in Rio, fighting for the country’s pride on the biggest stage, Jaisha collapsed after crossing the finish line. She had placed a lowly 89th, missing her personal best by well over 13 minutes.

She wasn’t ill prepared, she wasn’t out of practice – she was dehydrated. “I could have died there”, said a distraught OP Jaisha as she recalled the day when she claims she was not provided any water or energy drinks during the race by the Indian officials despite designated stations allotted to the country.

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Video Editor: Sandeep Suman