THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC Committee has paid tribute to Raja Randhir Singh, a five-time Olympian and one of Asia’s most influential sporting figures, after he passing away on Wednesday.
IOC president Kirsty Coventry said: “Raja Randhir Singh devoted his entire life to sport. As an Olympian, as an IOC Member and as a leader of Asian sport, he served the Olympic Movement with exceptional loyalty, wisdom and generosity over many decades. He will be remembered not only for his remarkable service and leadership but also for his warmth, friendship, and lifelong dedication to sport. On behalf of the International Olympic Committee, I extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, his friends, and all those across the Olympic Movement who had the privilege of working with him.”
As a trap and skeet shooter, he represented India at five Olympic Games — Mexico City 1968, Munich 1972, Montreal 1976, Moscow 1980, and Los Angeles 1984 — having also been a reserve shooter for Tokyo 1964. He won gold in trap shooting at the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok, becoming India’s first Asian Games gold medallist in shooting, along with bronze individually and silver in the team event at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi.
Singh was appointed Secretary General of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) while still competing, becoming the first person to compete at the Asian Games while simultaneously holding office in a continental sports organisation. He served as OCA Secretary General from 1991 to 2015, became Acting President in 2021, and was elected President in 2024 — the first Indian to hold the role.
He was elected as an IOC Member in 2001, serving until 2014 when he became an Honorary Member, and also served on the WADA Foundation Board from 2003 to 2005. As Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association for nearly three decades, he played a central role in shaping Indian sport at both national and international levels.
As a mark of respect, the Olympic flag will be flown at half-mast for three days at Olympic House.
