Indian athletics legend Henry Rebello passes away

Henry Rebello

Henry Rebello, widely considered as one of India’s best athletes of all-time, passed away in Gurgaon on Tuesday after prolonged illness. He was 84.

Born in Bangalore, Rebello was considered to be among the best triple jumpers of his era, and represented the country at the 1948 Olympic Games in London and was a top contender for a medal, but an injury just before the event ruined his chances.

Rebello rose to fame when he grabbed the top spot in a pre-Olympic qualifier in London, just two weeks ahead of the Games.

Noted British commentator Harold Abraham, who was an Olympic champion himself, tipped the Indian for the gold medal because of his performance in the preliminary round. Unfortunately, he injured his hamstring in the very first jump in the final and was forced to withdraw.

Rebello, who was 19 then, was about to take his first jump, but was told to wait by the officials as the medal ceremony was on simultaneously. The cold London weather didn’t help either, and Rebello, who had not warmed up properly, tried to give his all in the first try itself, hurting himself in the process.

At 16, Rebello won the gold in triple jump event at the 1946 All India Olympic competition held in Bangalore. Two years later, in 1948, he set a national triple jump record of 15.29 metres, which was unbeaten for almost two decades. It was the best mark in the world that season, and booked his place in the Indian team for the London Olympics and made him a medal favourite. But fate had other plans.

After the London Olympics, Rebello focused more on his studies. After completing graduation from Loyola College in Madras, he joined the Indian Air Force, and retired as Group Captain in 1980.

He actively took part in the organising of the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi, and then served as Director of Sports Authority of India (SAI) from 1984 to 1988.