V Srinivasan, husband of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President and Rajya Sabha MP PT Usha, passed away on Friday (Jan 30). He was 67.

Srinivasan collapsed at his residence in Thikkodi, Kozhikode, in the early hours of the morning. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital but was declared brought dead. PT Usha was in New Delhi at the time, attending a parliamentary session.

V Srinivasan: A former national-level Kabaddi player

While PT Usha’s achievements on the track made her a household name, Srinivasan chose to remain away from the spotlight. Long before he became known as Usha’s husband, he was a sportsperson in his own right, a former national-level Kabaddi player who understood the discipline, sacrifice and mental resilience required at the highest level.

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That insight shaped the support he offered Usha through her career, particularly during demanding phases when the pressures of elite sport weighed heavily.

V Srinivasan’s role in PT Usha’s journey: The quiet force

Srinivasan also served with distinction in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), retiring as a Deputy Superintendent of Police. The couple married in 1991, at a time when Usha was contemplating a return to competitive athletics after an initial retirement, a decision that would later define Indian track and field in the 1990s.

Beyond the track, Srinivasan played a key role in shaping Usha’s legacy. He was a co-founder and treasurer of the Usha School of Athletics in Koyilandy, managing its administrative and financial responsibilities while Usha focused on coaching and mentoring young athletes.

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Despite being married to one of India’s most recognisable sporting figures, Srinivasan remained intensely private. Whether during Usha’s term in the Rajya Sabha or her historic appointment as the first woman president of the Indian Olympic Association in 2022, he preferred to stay in the background, offering steady support rather than public presence.

V. Srinivasan is survived by PT Usha and their son, Dr Vignesh Ujjwal, a sports medicine professional.