AGE IS no hurdle for her. International javelin thrower Gurmeet Kaur is determined to make the country proud in international meets at the age of 36. She is participating in the All India LIC Sports Festival under way at Tatya Tope Stadium. Talking to the Hindustan Times, she expressed views over the present condition of the discipline of her choice in the country.
A member of Sydney Olympics 2000, Gurmeet feels that she has the courage to win medals for the country even at this age. “I won a bronze medal in the SAF Games in Sri Lanka in 2006. I have proved that there is immense potential to win medals for the country in international meets”, said Gurmeet.
Gurmeet suffered the trauma of her young husband’s death in 2003. Yet she recovered and returned to ground after sometime. “It was a painful time for me. Thanks to my colleagues in LIC and my father that I could stand again to make the nation proud in the international events”, said Gurmeet.
She is Assistant Administrative Officer (AAO) in LIC New Delhi. She could not participate in the 2004 Olympics due to the death of her husband.
About her preparation for the future meets, she said that she will leave the track only after winning medals in the prestigious meets. “I know it is always tough to prove yourself at this age, as there are people who want to see me out of the contests. But I am determined and will not leave the track till I win medals in international meets”, said the international athlete from Punjab.
{{/usCountry}}About her preparation for the future meets, she said that she will leave the track only after winning medals in the prestigious meets. “I know it is always tough to prove yourself at this age, as there are people who want to see me out of the contests. But I am determined and will not leave the track till I win medals in international meets”, said the international athlete from Punjab.
{{/usCountry}}About the failure of athletes in the international meets, the silver medallist of Afro-Asian Games Gurmeet said that the sportspersons should also take onus of failure. “I have noticed that the upcoming sportspersons have not been much focused on their games. They should also take the responsibility of failure in competitions”, she opined.