Shiny Wilson bids farewell to FCI

The Hindu

7 hours ago

Shiny Wilson, who was the first woman flag bearer at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and the first Indian woman athlete to reach the women's 800 m semifinals at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, retired from service after four decades. The four-time Olympian was serving as general manager Food Corporation of India (FCI) located in Nungambakkam.
The farewell function was an emotional event for Shiny. It was attended by Ashutosh Agnihotri, chairman and managing director FCI; and Jacintha Lazarus, executive director (south), FCI. Her husband, Wilson Cherian, an international swimmer, who retired from ICF after 43 years of service, was also present.
Known for her simplicity and reticent nature, Shiny was held in high esteem at FCI, and her farewell function proved why she is a respected personality.
At her acceptance speech, Shiny recalled her childhood days and her Olympics experience. Shiny has taken part in three Asian Games, six Asian championships and seven SAF Games. She reminisced about her 41 years and three months of service in FCI. 'I am thankful to have put a long and satisfying service at FCI,' she said while praising FCI's sports scholarship given to sportspersons and its consistency in recruiting sportspersons.
Shiny's love, passion and commitment to athletics is astonishing. After a few months after giving birth to her first daughter in October 1990, she started to train in Bengaluru. 'When my daughter was nine months old, I became a National champion in 800m and within a year, I won the Asian championships 400m gold and 800m silver,' said Shiny, a resident of Gill Nagar in Choolaimedu.
Shiny came to Chennai from Kerala in 1992-93 and went to represent Tamil Nadu in numerous National competitions.
After she joined FCI in 1984, she was one of those instrumental in fast-tracking the scholarships initiative of the organisation that has still today helped promising sportspersons get the much-needed stipend. Shiny continued to perform and shine in global and Asian events while being an employee of FCI. So much so that she even used to take part in all athletics events organised by FCI at the peak of her athletic prowess.
With her time at FCI coming to an end, Shiny will definitely enjoy her free time while putting her heart and soul into her many roles which includes selector of the Indian team and a nominated member of the Asian Athletic Commission.