Former Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president and veteran sports administrator Suresh Kalmadi passed away at a hospital here in the early hours of Tuesday. ADVERTISEMENTA dominant presence in Indian sports administration for more than two decades, Kalmadi served as the IOA president from 1996 to 2011, making him one of the longest-serving heads of the country’s apex Olympic body. During his tenure as IOA president, Kalmadi wielded significant influence at a time when Indian sport was expanding its presence on the global stage. Beyond national and international roles, Kalmadi was closely associated with the development of athletics and sports infrastructure in Pune. He played a key role in initiatives such as the Pune International Marathon, which went on to become a regular fixture on the Indian road-running calendar.

Source: The Telegraph January 06, 2026 05:14 UTC