It’s a dream come true for any sportsperson to be at the Olympics. It is a sensation that cannot be said but one can only feel. I was just 20 year of age.
Jaspal Rana has won a gold at the 46th World Shooting Championship and took part at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996
It’s a dream come true for any sportsperson to be at the Olympics. It is a sensation that cannot be said but one can only feel. I was just 20 year of age. Donning the Indian colours alongside others gave a special feeling. The march past is one which I am sure many will remember all through thir lives, and the cheer from our countrymen from the stands is touching feeling.
As I entered the shooting range, I was scared as there were the best of the shooters from across the globe. I did not create a flutter but the knowledge I gained cannot be explained in words. I did bungle in a small way which was embarrassing about that Olympics. I learnt that one thing, set aside the stars and the big names in the fray and go about as you are the best in the field. Overall it was a mixed feeling staying at the Games. One gets to meet people from all walks of live from different countries which many would not remember. The village was amazing. It was a city with all the facilities under one roof.
The vast village had all required in modern world, from the McDonald to physical training units. Ambience was electrifying. What I liked most was the way each one cared for others. They would be enemies on the field, but off the field it was absolutely different. After the fight out on the field the feeling of brotherhood and readiness to befriend was in aplenty. Walking aside a world champion in any field gave me a sense of pleasure. There were celebrities who rubbed shoulders with you, but at the same time there were other who one would find difficult to see. And Mike Tyson was one among them.
I waited for over an hour to get his autograph. People lined up in queues to have the glimpses of the legend. It was a long queue to meet Tyson I waited and finally got to meet him. His words hello said a million words and I still have the autograph. It’s a great possession I have of the only Olympics - I have taken part. I feel that I am one of those fortunate to have met Tyson. We have the best shooters and I sure that they will come good and boost the morale of all the shooters in the country, wherein lackluster attitude by the government would take a U-turn.
As told to Joe Williams
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}