Edited by – Robin Bhuyan (Editor in Chief)
Interviewed by – Rupsha Das
Written by – Tiyasha Tewari
Meet Indian athlete Senior Olympian, two-time gold medalist, Parag Patil in international masters level tournaments. He has also won 11 silver medals and 4 bronze, bringing his total medal count to 17. Despite his success, he has received no support from the government and currently works as a cab driver.
Once, Parag was a symbol of India’s pride—an athlete who represented his country 16 times on the international stage. With unwavering dedication, he never returned without a medal, maintaining a legacy in his field. His list of achievements includes securing second place in triple jump and third place in long jump among Asian athletes.
Yet, despite his accomplishments in several international Masters-level competitions, often referred to as Senior Olympics, this former champion is now facing his worst phase, not fighting for podium finishes or medals but struggling for the basic survival of his family. In an exclusive interview with this Indian athlete, Enigmatic Horizon, discusses his struggles and his visions for the future.
My first question to you is, what inspired you to pursue athletics, and how did your early life influence your journey as an athlete?
A person in need can do anything for basic survival. When I started in 1988, my need was simple—I had to catch a bus. The bus stop was 15-20 steps from my home, but if I missed it, I had to walk at least 1-2 km. So, I used to run for the bus. My history teacher, Mahajan Sir, rode a TVS Scooty ahead of me. I used to run alongside his scooter and this impressed him. He noticed my talent. Later, my PT teacher and Parvar Sir, the head of the department, interviewed me regarding this.
That’s how my journey began. There are three people who played a crucial role in my career: firstly, Parvar Sir, secondly, Mr. Ashok Kale, an Asian gold medalist in triple jump, and thirdly, my better half, Sunita, who has always supported the family.
Did financial constraints impact your athletic career? What steps did you take to overcome them?
Finance is crucial for everyone, whether it’s for food, daily survival, training, or equipment. When I started in 1988, there weren’t many proper training facilities. I practiced on mud grounds until 1994, the year when Balewadi Stadium was built. That was the only proper ground for practice, but it was too expensive, charging ₹1,200-₹1,500 per hour.
Coming from a modest background, as the son of a welder, affording such expenses was challenging. We often trained barefoot, removing glass, thorns, and stones from our feet. Our coach had only one rule: “Don’t stop, no matter what happens.”
Initially, I wanted to join the Indian Army, but for some reason, I couldn’t. Maybe it was fate that I served the nation through athletics rather than carrying a gun. In 1995, my father bought me spikes, which I used for over a decade. After graduating in 2000 with a first-class degree in Chemistry from Pune University, I got a job and gradually started fulfilling my needs. There’s a misconception that athletes neglect academics, but that’s not true.
Despite financial struggles, I participated in international events by borrowing ₹1.5 lakh at 17% interest from a private lender and through crowdfunding. I have participated in the Australian Masters Games twice—in 2015 and 2019—winning two gold, six silver, and one bronze medal. This year, I’m preparing for my third series in October.
Good to hear that you are competing again. All the best! Has any organization supported you in your career?
Yes, some small organizations have supported me with amounts like ₹5,000, ₹10,000, or ₹50,000, but nothing substantial.
What does a typical training day look like for you, and how do you maintain your fitness?
Training has been completely on hold for two months. I work as a cab driver, driving 16-20 hours a day to support my family.
How do you stay motivated despite these challenges?
I see my work as a duty, just like soldiers serve their country without expecting rewards or recognition. I only need financial support to reach competition venues, not for my household. For providing my family, I work hard myself.
What is the difference between competing in the Masters Games and in international competitions?
The Masters Games are for ex-Olympians and senior athletes who, after the age of 30, can no longer compete professionally. In international competitions, athletes represent their country at the highest level.
Do you think today’s education system prioritizes academics over sports?
Yes, completely. Sports education is completely ignored. This is due to the ignorance of the schooling system. Sports and physical education are very important for the growth of our kids. But I don’t blame the education system alone but also the parents. Nowadays, parents stop children from playing in the mud. It may sound harsh, but parents are making their children too soft. But sports teach life lessons that books cannot—such as resilience and bouncing back from failure.
How did you feel when you decided to work as a cab driver?
Driving a cab is not easy. It is a tough job, and often seen as a low-status job, but I consider it honest and respectable. I interact with diverse people, exchange knowledge, and feel good when passengers leave with a smile and blessings.
Do you think Olympic medals are overly glorified?
Some sports, like the Paralympics and Senior Olympics, are ignored due to media bias, even though they require just as much talent and dedication. The media mainly focuses on cricket and football, and even athletes like Neeraj Chopra, Hima Das, Milkha Singh and Mary Kom are somewhat ignored.
What changes would you like to see for athletes in India?
The only thing I would say is: keep doing your work. Always think that you are playing for the nation. If you don’t differentiate yourself from others, you will never know your true potential. Just focus on the tricolor and yourself.
What advice would you give to those who want to represent India on the international stage?
Never get demotivated for any reason. Hard work is the only way—there are no shortcuts in sports. If you truly deserve it, you will get it. Also, never use drugs or supplements.
Since you are making a comeback in October, what are your goals?
My goals are clear: 100 medals for the country—I still have 83 to go. Also, we have prepared training modules, and you will see our athletes shine after 2032.
If a movie were made about your life, which actor would you want to play you?
I rarely have time for movies after hours of driving, and I am not much familiar with the names of new actors. So, it wouldn’t be right for me to suggest!
