ISSUE DATE: May 10, 2021
UPDATED: May 1, 2021 21:01 IST
Boxer Amit Panghal (in blue)
When the nationwide lockdown was announced last year, Deepika Kumari found herself stranded at her fiancé (now husband) Atanu Das’s home in Kolkata. The two archers had qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, but found their preparations had ground to an abrupt halt. For a few days, they tried yoga and indoor exercises. Deepika kept busy shooting at a target three metres away. She even attempted running on the rooftop, but stopped after suffering a back injury.
Down in Chennai, paddler G. Sathiyan decided to follow a regime designed by strength and conditioning coach Ramji Srinivasan. He used water bottles, chairs and school bags to maintain fitness levels. Soon after, the lockdown was lifted and the athletes were back to the grind. But going by the past few months of training and competition, it is clear that these Olympics are likely to unfold under the most extraordinary circumstances.