CHANDIGARH: Among the thousands and thousands of Indians who listened to the radio commentary of the 1960 race in
Rome
and rooted for
Milkha Singh was a young
Labh Singh
, who had no idea of
Olympics
but, seeing the atmosphere, swore to go to its next edition.
"It was Milkha Singh who inspired me to work hard and aim for glory," recalls now-Brigadier Labh Singh, who later competed in the men's triple jump event at the 1964 Summer Olympics in
Tokyo
, Milkha's last.
About memories shared with The
Flying Sikh
, he said: At the pre-Tokyo national camp in 1963, held at NIS-Patiala's, I met him for the first time. He was sports director in Punjab and, being the only
Army officers of the contingent, we alone were lodged in the Maharaja guest room. Later, we were roommates in the
Olympic Village
. To be with my hero was surreal. He talked to me and motivated me. He'd say: 'There's no easy way about anything. This is your first Olympics. Try to be the best but don't lose heart if the result doesn't go your way. Your coach will tell you a lot of things but always believe in yourself and put no limits on your practice.'"
In the 1970 Asian Games at Bangkok, where brigadier Labh Singh won two medals (triple jump silver and long jump bronze), Milkha cheered him from the stands. "I could hear him shouting: 'Come on Labh'. He was so happy for me," recalled the brigadier, who also won triple jump bronze at the 1966 Games.
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