Indian marathon runner OP Jaisha’s recent revelation about lack of water during the Rio Olympics created headlines across the nation. The 33-year old alleged that she almost died on the finish line, as there was no water or refreshments provided to her by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), during the race tenure. However, a new twist has emerged with Jaisha’s Belarusian coach Nikolai Snesarev stating that she declined the offer for extra energy drinks, gels or water, a day prior to the race.
He said, “One day before the event, AFI officials approached us to ask whether Jaisha needs any special refreshments like glucose and extra water in the stations. But, she had said no, stating that the normal amount of water would be enough. I had specifically asked her as well that whether she needed extra water in the sidelines as shhe consumes quite a bit during the race. She had said the amount given by the organisers would be enough.”
Deputy AFI coach Radhakrishnan Nair confirmed to Sportskeeda that he had approached Nikolai himself to ask this. He said, “Yes, I had personally gone and asked Coach a day before the race.about refreshments. Not only that I had asked a second time as well, about water. However, both times he denied it. Now I don’t know whether, Jaisha had told him or he told me on his own. That's not my lookout.”
Drank water given only by organisers at the World Championship as well: Nikolai
Nikolai added, “Jaisha has been distracted off late by all the negative media pressure, but just to clear things out even at the World Championships she had water from the organisers and didn't ask for any extra refreshments. She has never ever, at least during the time I’ve coached her believed in any extra refreshments. At times, even I've tried to persuade her, but didn't work. So, I don’t want people to create a fuss about this and want Jaisha to concentrate on her training, she has a few big tournaments this year.”
The other Indian participating in the race Kavita Raut had also denied the use of personalised refreshments. She said, “I didn't face any problems during the race, I cannot say why Jaisha felt the way she did, I didn’t follow her for the entire race. As per the personalised drinks, I had said no because I never used them before and don’t intend to use them in the future as well.”
Jaisha had told Kavita after the race that there was a shortage of water, post the 25 km mark.
