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Could the Tokyo Olympics see an independent Indian's first medal in athletics?
Just like in archery at the Olympics, India's efforts at athletics have also been a curious case. Despite having some of the best athletes, no one from independent India has ever been able to clinch an Olympic medal. Even more ironic is the fact that the country's differently-abled athletes have won more medals than any able-bodied Indian has ever managed at the quadrennial event.
Also read: Tokyo Olympics 2021 Athletics: Schedule, venue, events and all you need to know
It all began with the 1948 London Olympics. Apart from the Indian hockey team carrying much of the country's hopes, there was Henry Rebello - a promising young athlete. His qualification mark was enough to put him on the right track for a historic individual medal, which would've been a first for an independent India. However, a torn hamstring ruled him out of the finals.
Indian athletics have since struggled to recover from that ominous first setback. There have been many occasions where they were tantalizingly close to winning an Olympic medal. However, bad luck denied them a chance to create history, and no one knows it better than the likes of Milkha Singh and PT Usha. Will we see the disappointment end at the Tokyo Olympics?
