Tributes have been pouring in since the announcement of Raja Randhir Singh's death. After representing India in shooting at five Olympic Games (from 1968 to 1984) and winning a gold medal at the 1978 Asian Games, he notably served as Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association (1987-2014), Secretary General of the Olympic Council of Asia (1991-2015), and an IOC member (2001-2014), before becoming an honorary member. Elected OCA President in 2024, he had to step down in January due to health problems. He passed away on Wednesday at the age of 79 in New Delhi.
"Extraordinary loyalty, wisdom, and generosity"
« This is a very sad day for the Olympic movement in India, Asia and the world., reacted his successor, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani. His wisdom and dedication greatly contributed to strengthening unity across Asia. Raja Randhir was a great athlete, a great sportsman, a great sports administrator, and a great leader, but above all, he was a great man. He will always be remembered for the role he played in the development of the Olympic movement in India, Asia, and the world. »
« Raja Randhir Singh dedicated his entire life to sport. As an Olympic athlete, IOC member, and leading figure in Asian sport, he served the Olympic Movement with extraordinary loyalty, wisdom, and generosity for several decades., underlines Kirsty Coventry, president of the IOC. He will be remembered not only for the remarkable quality of his commitment and leadership, but also for his sense of human relations, his spirit of friendship and his constant dedication to the service of sport. "As a sign of respect, the IOC announced that the Olympic flag would be flown at half-mast for three days at the Olympic House in Lausanne.
The International Olympic Committee is deeply saddened to learn of the death of IOC Honorary Member Raja Randhir Singh.
- IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) May 27, 2026
As a mark of respect, the Olympic flag will be flown at half-mast for three days at Olympic House.
🔗https://t.co/85bNGcfjcB pic.twitter.com/0WEzDqpiqV
« Once his shooting career was over, Randhir quickly became a highly respected member of the Olympic Movement, and particularly of the NOC family. He was a staunch advocate for NOCs, wherever they may be, and an influential figure within the Indian NOC and the OCA. He will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. " adds the Secretary General of ACNO, Gunilla Lindberg.
