The Hindu : Sport / Athletics : Going strong at 84

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 22, 2005

Sport

Sport - Athletics

Going strong at 84

HYDERABAD, MARCH 21. At an age when many people would be happy to lead a quiet retired life, 84-year old K.S. Swarajyalakshmi is taking active part in athletics and wining medals by the bagful. She took part in the Asian veterans athletic meet in Bangkok from December 1 to 5 and won gold medals in shot put, discus and hammer throw and a silver medal in javelin throw in the 80 plus age group. In a career spanning about 20 years as a veteran athlete she has bagged 60 gold medals and eight silver medals.

She is an active social worker and runs a home for the aged. But since she has no permanent address, she has to run this home from rented premises. And she has to frequently shift this home as most landlords are not keen to have it functioning from their premises.

She hopes that the State government will take notice of the fact that she has won laurels at the international level in veterans athletics and provide her with some suitable financial reward which she can then utilise to construct a permanent home for the aged. She says that her aim is to utilise her achievements as a sportsperson to help those who are less fortunate. — Our Special Correspondent

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