Forty years ago, on this day, I competed in the 400m hurdles finals at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. It was a Wednesday, a day that is etched in my memory forever. I will never forget the pain and sadness that I felt on that day. I came tantalizingly close to winning an Olympic medal, missing the bronze in my favourite event by just 1/100th of a second.
As I stand at an Olympic venue after 40 years, the agony of that loss still lingers. In fact, I have been haunted by those painful memories whenever I stepped on to an Olympic field thereafter.
On Wednesday, a day before the 40th anniversary of my Olympic heartbreak, I woke up to the sad news of yet another heartbreak for India. In a shocking reversal of fortunes, star wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was set to compete for gold against America's Sarah Hildebrandt, was disqualified due to exceeding the 50kg weight limit during weigh-in. I was shocked and surprised. Previously assured of at least a silver medal, she now has to return empty-handed. Her disqualification came as a bolt from the blue to all of us.
Immediately, I went to meet her in a Paris hospital where she was undergoing treatment for severe dehydration. Although she put on a brave face and spoke confidently, I could see her eyes welling up. I too struggled to hold back my tears. As I have also endured the agony of narrowly missing out on an Olympic medal, I could fully understand her predicament. I had no words to comfort her.
We can only hope that Vinesh, being a fighter, will put this setback behind her and come back strongly.
(The writer is a legendary Indian athlete and president of the Indian Olympic Association)
