The Athletes’ Village on the Olympics has an amazing impact on one, particularly once you see it for the primary time. I keep in mind being among the many first Indian athletes to succeed in the Village with Abhinav Bindra. I used to be awestruck. However on the similar time, as an athlete, you already know you might be there to carry out. I attempted to chop the joy down. However fact be informed, you may’t (laughs). That’s the truth as a result of it’s so huge. I feel that’s the solely place on Earth the place hundreds of athletes from completely different nations, ethnicities, races, religions, and cultures come collectively.
After I see a (Novak) Djokovic, for the primary time, sitting on a small rock amongst associates and gossiping similar to others, it feels good. After which Serena Williams sitting proper throughout my desk the place I’m having my breakfast—that’s one thing! Sure, I’m an Olympian; I used to be collaborating within the Video games as properly. However these have been heroes we regarded as much as, and people have been moments the place you bought starstruck. I don’t keep in mind interacting with many athletes. However on the opening ceremony, I noticed this large man breeze previous me, dancing to the tunes being blasted on the stadium. After which it didn’t take me lengthy to grasp it was Usain Bolt. And that was one time once I went stiff as a result of I’ve been an amazing follower of the person!
The eating space was so large that it may slot in two soccer fields. It was wonderful. There’s enjoyable, frolic, and, in fact, plenty of meals from completely different elements of the world. A few of which you’d have maybe by no means seen. However to my shock, the most important and clear favorite counter was that of McDonald’s. The perfect athletes on the earth would stand in what was the longest of the queues. I by no means had a clue why, as a result of, as athletes, we have been at all times requested to observe a strict regime of diet and food regimen!
I need to say I used to be somewhat fascinated by the African delicacies. Possibly as a result of I hadn’t been uncovered to African meals earlier than that. The menu regarded very completely different and tasted completely different as properly. I wouldn’t say I’m very keen on African meals, however yeah, it was very new, and I needed to experiment. There was, in fact, a little bit of window procuring, the place we would have a look at the menu from each nook of the world and take turns being fascinated.
After I flick thru folders on my laptop computer, I feel I can discover solely 20 photographs of mine. I’m not very certain why I didn’t have extra photos. I used to be keen on pictures again then as properly. That was once I purchased my first SLR (Single-Lens Reflex) digital camera and bought it delivered to the Video games Village. It was bought from a retailer in Kolkata and introduced in by Mr. B. G. Mallick (former vice-president of the Bengal Olympic Affiliation), an official who was travelling to London. It was handed over to me on the Village gate. Possibly I didn’t use it a lot as a result of I used to be too busy coaching and couldn’t discover the time.
It was unlucky that I missed out on a medal end, however I need to say I used to be lucky to have stayed within the Village at the moment. Everybody round me didn’t make me really feel like I had completed fourth within the 50m rifle inclined occasion. After the information unfold, Indian athletes and officers from numerous sports activities requested me how I used to be doing. Nevertheless, later that day, the truth sunk in when Saina Nehwal gained the bronze medal (the primary Indian lady to win an Olympic medal in badminton). Whereas everybody was rightfully celebrating, I realised what I had missed.
I additionally missed out on exchanging lapel pins from different nations (a typical observe among the many sports activities fraternity at multi-discipline occasions) as properly. Now I remorse not doing it.
As informed to Santadeep Dey
