It’s a journey down reminiscence lane which I like to take very often. For, even now, after I look again on the Sydney Olympics 24 years later, each expertise there stands out as very particular for me. It was additionally the first-time girls’s weightlifting was launched within the Olympics. For apparent causes too! I created historical past by changing into the first-ever Indian lady athlete to win an Olympic medal — bronze in weightlifting.
I’m glad that I used to be the inspiration for a lot of athletes who emulated that feat in a while from India. Recollections linger on about the entire expertise of being there within the Sydney Village. There was that typical aura round the entire venue. Sadly, I’m unhealthy at recalling a number of the massive names from different disciplines whom I’ve met there, however a number of little issues like watching them practice, transfer round within the eating corridor are some issues that are contemporary in my reminiscence.
Actually, there have been no actual interactions with them, simply casual greetings however the environment was electrifying, the best way the delegations from all of the taking part international locations moved round. Frankly, I at all times needed to work together with the massive names of the world of sport over time. I’ve the best respect for them even now. The excitement of pleasure and expectations have been one thing so surreal, for me coming from such a humble background the place we struggled to satisfy ends in my early life again house in Amadalavalasa (Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh). In truth, many of the athletes didn’t have the time to work together as every certainly one of them was busy with their very own coaching schedules, planning and methods.
As a 25-year-old, I keep in mind vividly my coach asking me to go to mattress early the evening earlier than the competitors. He needed me to be utterly relaxed. He even chided the judokas and wrestlers who have been making some noise within the close by lodging to make sure I had a sound sleep. That night, I plucked a number of flowers from the gorgeous backyard within the Video games Village. I acquired up very early on the morning of the competitors. I at all times carried a Lord Ganesh idol with me and after performing puja I went to the competitors corridor. There was none from the Indian contingent besides, clearly, the weightlifting fraternity. Not even the media for nobody thought, in all probability, that India would get a medal in weightlifting. So, after I received the historic medal — sure I nonetheless really feel that with extra correct steering from the assist workers I may have simply received the gold which I missed by two kg — it was like some other World championship or Worldwide gold.
The second of pleasure was confined to my fellow weightlifters and officers. There was nothing particular even within the night on the Video games Village after my feat. I used to be advised that the Chef de Mission and others celebrated my achievement at another occasions. I keep in mind solely my good buddy and hockey Worldwide Dhanraj Pillay shouting “Malleswari zindabad” with a few his teammates. Primarily, the sensation of successful an Olympic medal didn’t sink in for nearly two days. I may really feel the importance of such an excellent second of Indian sport when a younger Gopichand (former All England champion and now chief nationwide badminton coach) walked into my room. He was very curious to get a really feel of the Olympic medal. “Can I see that medal and maintain it please,” was his boyish question. I made him comfy and the enjoyment on his face additionally made me really feel proud.
Actually, there have been no celebrations even on the subsequent day after that medal-winning efficiency. In truth, nothing nice on this entrance after I was there within the Video games Village aside from a few athletes personally congratulating me later after I had an opportunity encounter. I requested the Chef de Mission to e-book a return ticket to India as I used to be determined to be again having been away for shut to 3 years previous the Olympics. I needed to spend a while with my household as I acquired married in 1997. However the Chef de Mission mentioned it was a historic medal, and insisted that I keep again. He facilitated my husband Rajesh Tyagi’s journey to Sydney and that’s how I may share my pleasure with my household in individual for the primary time. We each went to look at a number of the Indians in motion, particularly cheering for the boxers.
Coming again to the Video games Village, the preparations, the sort of planning, caring for each particular person there, was too good and wonderful. The forms of meals from Chinese language to Continental to Indian was scrumptious although as athletes we needed to avoid having an excessive amount of of it for apparent causes.
I really feel so glad after I look again at what’s arguably the best second of my life and in addition one of many most interesting ever in Indian sporting historical past itself.
Equally delighted that India has fairly a number of potential medallists within the 2024 Paris Olympics, too, and sincerely trying to have fun a number of extra golden moments and watch my fellow Indians deliver laurels to the nation in Paris.
As advised to V. V. Subrahmanyam
