Olympic medal transformed our lives, says UP hockey stars

Time of India

5 hours ago

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Lucknow: Winning an Olympic medal is no easy feat and demands unwavering dedication, relentless grit, and years of hard work. To represent the nation on the world's grandest sporting stage and to hold aloft the tricolour is an honour few achieve and those who do find their lives changed forever.
On the occasion of Olympic Day, ToI spoke to two hockey Olympians from Uttar Pradesh, who shared how winning an Olympic medal became a turning point in their lives.
"My achievement sparked pride and admiration — not just for me, but also for my family and community," said two-time Olympian Lalit Upadhyay.
"After winning a medal, you realize the emotions and expectations attached to it. It's not just us who celebrate — the entire country erupts in a mix of happiness and pride. The Olympic medal has transformed my life. We were showered with prize money, financial rewards, and govt aid, along with public affection. Most significantly, the feeling of having done something historic for the country is priceless," said Lalit
"I used to only hear stories about winning Olympic medals in hockey, but actually achieving one filled me with immense pride.
Upon returning with the medal, I could see the same urge and ambition in children's eyes — a desire to compete in the Olympics and win medals for India," he said.
"On a personal front, I received substantial financial rewards from the central and state govts, along with a job that provided financial stability for me and my family. What more could you ask for?" he added.
"Winning an Olympic medal brought unprecedented recognition and respect.
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People in our community began to see me as a role model," said Paris Olympic bronze medallist Raj Kumar Pal.
Pal said the biggest change in his life after winning an Olympic medal was the shift in people's attitudes toward him. "Neighbours now treat me with much more respect, and my family is happier due to our improved financial situation. Initially, people in my village didn't fully understand what it meant to be an Olympian — even after I won the medal.
It was only when Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath came to honour me that they realised I had achieved something significant.
Now, I receive respect from everyone — a stark contrast to before, when very few acknowledged me," he said.
"My village, Karampur, is now called a hockey nursery, and every budding player dreams of becoming an Olympian. That's the greatest motivation," Pal added.
When asked about preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, Pal said, "Currently, we are playing in the Men's FIH Pro League, but the focus remains on the Olympics. The priority is to stay fit and in form to secure a place in the team. Having won bronze medals in both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, we aim to change the colour of the medal in Los Angeles."