DOWN BUT NOT OUT!!!!

She may not be a medal prospect in Beijing Olympics, but couldn’t resist myself from writing about her in this blog because of just one reason- her grit and determination of not giving up. Pramila Aiyappa (G G Aiyappa as she was known then) was the first Indian Heptathlete to have participated in the Olympics at Sydney where she finished 24th. On 15th August when India will be celebrating its Independence Day, Pramila will start her Olympic campaign in the Heptathlon event at the National Stadium in Beijing. But four years back, Pramila had almost given up hope of participating in the World's biggest sporting extravaganza. In 2000 Pramila had become the first Indian to participate in the Heptathlon event in Olympics. After finishing 24th in Sydney, she missed the ticket to Athens by just 3 points. She was so disappointed that she almost gave up the sport forever. She gave birth to a child, which kept her busy. However her husband Aiyappa, who also coaches her, knew that Pramila still had it in her to make it to Beijing. It was his motivation that made Pramila once again get back on to the tracks. Getting back into shape was not at all easy. Pramila's progress was steady but time was running out for her. She once again missed the qualifying mark for Beijing by a whisker at the Interstate Senior Athletics meet in Madurai in June this year. This left Pramila with just the National Jumps and Combined events in Bangalore in July, the last event for Olympics qualification. Knowing that it was her last chance Pramila gave it her best and defied all odds to qualify for her second Olympics. With her dream fulfilled Pramila has set a realistic target for herself in Beijing, where she wants to break the National Record, which will also help her surpass her own personal best of 6105 points. Pramila will not only face stiff challenge from the World's best, she will also have two more Indian's JJ Shobha and Susmita Singha Roy competing with her in the same event. But like Sydney where she edged out Soma Biswas in the same event, in Beijing too she wants to be the top Indian and make a mark for herself. But whatever may be the outcome in Beijing, Pramila has proved that if there is a will there is a way….All the best Pramila!!!!

Pic: Chinmaye A Bhave