Indian track and field legend PT Usha was presented with the Veteran Pin by International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) for her contribution to the growth of the sport on Wednesday (September 25).
IAAF chief Sebastian Coe awarded Usha the pin during the 52nd IAAF Congress held in Doha where was one of the three persons from Asia to receive the honour.
“Expressing my deep gratitude towards @iaaforg and President @sebcoe for awarding me the Veteran Pin at the 52nd IAAF conference in Doha. I look forward to continually contributing to the growth of athletics in our country!,” tweeted the 55-year-old.
Expressing my deep gratitude towards @iaaforg and President @sebcoe for awarding me the Veteran Pin at the 52nd IAAF conference in Doha. I look forward to continually contributing to the growth of athletics in our country!@IAAFDoha2019 #IAAFDoha2019 pic.twitter.com/pKUcly1EsV
— P.T. USHA (@PTUshaOfficial) September 25, 2019
Known as Payyoli Express, Usha is one of the greatest sprinters to have come out of India. She is often attributed as the “queen of track and field” for her utmost dedication towards the sport which is visible in her records tally.
She won five gold medals — 100m, 200m, 400m, 400m hurdles, and the 4x400m relay — besides a bronze at the 1985 Asian Games in Jakarta.
Her most memorable performance came in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics where she became the first Indian to reach the finals of the 400m hurdles but lost the bronze by one-hundredth of a second.
(With inputs from agencies)
