I have won both gold and bronze medals at this biggest sports show and I personally don’t feel that I still have anything to achieve. I have achieved everything as a sportsman.
Former Indian hockey stalwart Gurbux Singh, who had represented India in six Olympics in various roles, pens down his experiences and feelings while on duty for the motherland at the world’s biggest sports festival…
Olympics, to me, is a rare thing and it should be the ultimate if you win a gold. I have won both gold and bronze medals at this biggest sports show and I personally don’t feel that I still have anything to achieve. I have achieved everything as a sportsman.
I have had a long association with the Olympic Games in my six appearances in various roles from 1964 when I won the gold medal in Tokyo (being a member of the Indian hockey team). Believe me, I liked the Tokyo culture and that is still my best Olympics, though in terms of organization Sydney was the best so far.
In Tokyo, we rode cycles to roam around in the village from one cottage to another and also during events we used to ride a cycle till the gate from where we took busses to the venue. That was something I still cherish.
In Mexico City in 1968, it was more of big buildings in the village. We had to stay in apartments which was close to the venue and so it was a different experience altogether.
During my presence in six Olympics, I witnessed many top performers from different disciplines from close quarters. But the feeling of the first Olympics had an everlasting effect on me.
One can only think of such a sporting extravaganza… Nowadays cricket has taken the centrestage among Indian sports, but to represent the country in the Olympics must be of greater fun and enjoyment.
In tennis also people earn more by playing on the professional circuit, but I feel, they would also want to represent their countries in Olympics. It’s a rare feeling one can get in his or her sports career.
As told to Sanjib Guha
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