Chennai: The coronavirus pandemic has affected several sections of the society, but with the Tokyo Olympics looming large, the sports fraternity in the country has been badly hit. Shaking in the arsenal, the Indian contingent is showing indomitable courage to make it to the Olympics and Arokia Rajeev from Tamil Nadu is an example.
Arokia made it to the Tokyo Olympics with a time of 3.01.89 in the selection trials along with his men’s 4x400m relay team Mohammad Anas, Amoz Jacob, Naganathan Pandy and Noah Nirmal Tom.
The 30-year-old relay runner has moved from Trichy in Tamil Nadu to the National Institute of Sports in Patiala just before the lockdown.
“For the past one year I couldn’t go home and the scenes here at the institute were appalling. As players were testing positive for Covid, I took an oath to keep myself safe. It took me a long time to speak properly. Ho gaya hai to my teammates,” Indian sprinter Arokia Rajeev told ABP Live.
Arokia was part of the gold-winning 4x400m mixed relay team and settled for a silver medal in the men’s 4x400m at the 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta.
This is Arokia’s second Olympics since he flew to Rio at the 2016 Summer Games, but was disqualified from the race. Taking a cue from past failures, the sprinter said he is looking forward to live up to the expectations at the Olympics this time.
“We hope to bring medals from the Olympics and I am sure we will definitely win a medal for our country this time,” the Tamil Nadu sprinter confidently said.
Read also | Seven members of England’s men’s ODI team Test Kovid positive, ECB will choose a new team for Pak series
When asked about his daily regime at the institute, he said, “Now, our routine is like being in a small bubble. I am practicing for six hours a day – three hours in the morning and three hours in the evening. Working out Staying in my room, not talking much to people, staying away from people for fear of covid. All this was mentally disturbing and at times I felt really low and sad but now Olympic qualification is very much Relief from all the negativity, I am really happy and ready to take on a bigger responsibility.”
Mental strength plays an important role in a sportsperson’s life and despite many obstacles in his way, Arokia takes a big leap in his career and he hopes to make the country proud by standing on the Olympic podium and saluting the national flag . “I want to have a podium finish at this Olympics,” the 30-year-old sprinter signed off.
Meanwhile, on Monday evening, the Athletics Federation of India finalized a 26-member contingent in athletics for the Tokyo Olympics.
.