Happy tears, a little bit of shock, and a very emotional coach jumping in the gallery is how Sajan Prakash describes the moment he qualified for the Tokyo Olympics. “I didn’t even know I have qualified for the Olympics. My coach came running in tears, he hugged me and it all sunk in that Olympic qualification has been breached,” says an ecstatic Sajan.

Sajan in fact continued his purple patch as he broke compatriot Virdhawal Khade’s national record in the 200 m event crediting his coach for all the hard work and discipline maintained over the years. Achieving this feat though has been anything but easy with swimming pools closed through the lockdowns and Sajan shifting base to Dubai.

“Honestly, swimming has been the most affected and neglected during the lockdowns with the pools not open. It was heart breaking to see so many people leaving the sport because of this. I somehow kept going because I was in Dubai and didn’t leave swimming for even 1 day but it has been tough on everyone.”

While the excitement is building up with many first this year in Tokyo Olympics, Sajan feels there is a need for change in India’s sporting culture, “People need to start recognising other sports as well. It can’t be about one or two games and I hope Olympics help in bridging that gap especially for the sport of swimming.”. ‘Cheer4India’ is the theme for this year’s Olympics and Sajan wants everyone to back the athletes in Tokyo, “Cheer for us from wherever you are”, he signs off.