In a country where athletes are often hailed as national heroes, a startling financial lapse is casting a long shadow over India’s sporting ecosystem. Over 300 elite Indian athletes, including Olympic medalists and world champions, are under scrutiny for failing to submit bills worth a staggering ₹8.78 crore—expenses funded by the government during the Paris 2024 Olympic cycle.
The revelation emerged after a financial audit conducted by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) raised red flags. The matter was discussed in detail at the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) meeting, where it was confirmed that 315 athletes have not furnished invoices for travel, training, and equipment purchased abroad over several years.
And it’s not just any athletes. Some of the biggest names in Indian sports are on this list.
Mirabai Chanu, India’s celebrated weightlifter and Tokyo Olympics silver medalist, has not submitted invoices amounting to ₹88.88 lakh over three years. This includes multiple U.S. training stints under renowned coach Dr. Aaron Horschig.
Wrestler Bajrang Punia, also a Tokyo medalist, has outstanding dues of ₹1.25 crore, while Vinesh Phogat, another prominent face of Indian wrestling, hasn’t cleared bills worth ₹42.22 lakh. Phogat has since announced her retirement following the Paris Games.
Badminton icon Saina Nehwal, who last competed at the Singapore Open in 2023, reportedly owes ₹5.07 lakh, and sprinter Hima Das, absent from the international scene for four years, has not submitted bills totalling ₹1.44 lakh since 2019.
The MOC was told that every athlete under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) is assigned an Athlete Relationship Manager (ARM) to assist with logistics and documentation. Despite repeated reminders via emails and calls, many athletes have been unresponsive.
An official close to the matter said, “We’ve made multiple attempts to collect the invoices. Some athletes have not even taken our calls. The MOC believes disciplinary action may now be necessary.”
Possible penalties include deductions from the athletes’ monthly Out-of-Pocket Allowance (₹50,000), suspension of benefits, or even blacklisting from future schemes. Among the 315 athletes, 146 are still under TOPS, while the remaining 169 are former beneficiaries.
The timing couldn’t be worse. With eyes already on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, this scandal has raised concerns about financial discipline, governance, and the accountability of India’s sporting heroes.
Meanwhile, in a move signaling renewed focus, the MOC approved seven compound archers into the TOPS scheme after archery’s inclusion in LA’s mixed team event. These include rising stars like Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Ojas Deotale, and Aditi Swami.
In total, the MOC cleared ₹4.37 crore across 56 proposals related to TOPS, TEAMS, and TAGG disciplines—proof that the commitment to future excellence remains strong, despite the current financial cloud.
This unfolding saga is more than a paper trail; it’s a test of integrity in Indian sports. As medals hang proudly in glass cabinets, the question now hangs heavy in the air: can heroes stay golden off the field too?
