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Bhavani Thekkada, an Indian cross-country skier who swapped a coffee farm for a southern India For the European slopes, an unexpected Olympic dream is being chased.
Unlike many of her competitors who grew up skiing, the 30-year-old discovered the sport later in life.
Despite taking a long time to qualify for the Milan Cortina Winter Games, her journey is already inspiring a new generation at home.
“If even one person would be there I would be really grateful and happy India “I’m getting a lot of messages from people who are already doing it — inspired by my trip and wanting to go skiing,” Thekkada told The Associated Press.
His social media history and domestic headlines underscore his growing influence.
Bronze medal in 5 kilometer race chile Last September, although with limited competition, was celebrated as IndiaFirst international medal in women’s cross-country skiing.
However, the recent 10 kilometer World Cup finland Offered a harsh reality check, leaving her more than 16 minutes behind among 81 elite athletes swedenFrieda Carlson.
Thekkada, who has won multiple national titles in India, said, “The top 80 girls who were competing with me had a whole team with them. They had coaches, they had wax technicians, they had managers.”
“I was standing there with a few years of skiing (experience) … a few hours of training with some instructors.”
Being the Olympic qualification season, eligibility is so flexible that Thekkada can come to the start line. The goal is not to defeat the opponents – rather it is to reduce the time gap to improve his score.
“I may not be the best in the world but I’m really trying to be there,” she said. “I may be a few minutes behind the top athletes, but I’m still a few years behind them in training.”
diggins cheers her on
Thekkada had a similar result in last weekend’s 10km World Cup race trondheim, norwaywhich leaves upcoming events in davos, SwitzerlandThis is India’s last chance to secure an Olympic quota.
Largely self-funded, Thekkada works mostly independently, so she was grateful when several national teams lent a hand trondheimCanadians and Chileans helped with waxing and training, he said, and Italians delivered their equipment,
And during the race, he heard from Diggins.
,jessie He was cheering the loudest for me during the race. It really means a lot to me,’ Thekkada said in an update Instagram,
India takes notice
Apart from media coverage in India, he also got a Member of Parliament Karnataka Area, Tejaswi Surya wrote on X: “His exploits make him an inspiration for the younger generation.”
Thekkada has used his rising public profile to harass Indian leaders. after his podium finish chileHe wrote on Twitter: “I hope at least now the government will start paying attention (and) supporting winter sports athletes,” and tagged the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
Alpine skier Arif Khan was the only Indian to compete at the 2022 Beijing Games.
According to the Olympics website, only two Indian women – Shailja Kumar and Neha Ahuja – have participated in the Winter Games.
bollywood and bjorgen inspiration
Thekkada did not see snow until he was 20 years old. He became interested in mountaineering after seeing some Bollywood Movies,” he said. As a mountaineering instructor in Himalayahe also picked up Alpine Skiing,
And then she watched the 2018 PyeongChang Games, where Marit Bjorgen became the most decorated Winter Olympian. norway Grete gave birth a few years ago.
“His journey thrilled me,” Thekkada said. “I’ve seen in the Indian community that ‘women can’t do this. Once you have a child, once you’re over 30, you can’t do this.’ It really inspired me a lot.”
Milan Cortina is after 2030 French Alps Olympics.
“If not this year, I want to try for the next four years,” Thekkada said.