Tamil Nadu: Amid Rousing Welcome, Olympian Dhanalakshmi Breaks Down Knowing About Her Sister's Demise

Dhanalaksmi’s sister Gayathri died on July 12 and her mother decided not to inform the athlete since the sprinter had to go to Tokyo on July 23 and she did want her daughter to lose her spot

Chennai: It was a celebration at Tiruchy Airport with people welcoming the daughter of their land who gave a tough fight in Tokyo Olympics 2021. Dhanalakshmi, who was part of the 4x400m mixed relay at the Tokyo Olympics, landed at Tiruchy Airport from Delhi on Saturday and was welcomed with garlands and crackers.

Though the relay team lost at the Olympics, Dhanalakshmi felt elated for the welcome that credited her for her hard work. However, her happiness did not last long and she immediately broke down on the road in front of the airport since one of her relatives informed her that her elder sister succumbed to illness nearly a month ago while she was practicing at Patiala.

According to reports, Dhanalaksmi’s sister Gayathri died on July 12 and her mother decided not to inform the athlete since the sprinter had to go to Tokyo on July 23 and she did want her daughter to lose her spot.

Dhanalakshmi was an athlete from an underprivileged background and was raised by her mother since she lost her father when she was 15-year-old. The athlete was practicing from a young age but her first breakthrough battling poverty was at Patiala in March after she won against Dutee Chand, who was known as the Indian queen of track in 100m, at the Federation Cup.

Soon, Dhanalakshmi’s name started cropping up in the arena dominated by Dutee Chand and Hima Das and her efforts started paying off from March. However, despite the battles, she suffered another blow a few months ago, when she lost her second sister. She was then aiming to punch an Olympic ticket and it is reported that she refused to eat and suffered a setback.

Yet with the motivation of her elder sister, the determined sprinter bounced back within months by converting her sorrow into motivation on the track and clocked the best which gave her an Olympic opportunity. Dhanalakshmi was placed as an alternative in the team.

However, even though 4x400m mixed relay team gave their best, India still lost. The team assured to work harder next time and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin assured Dhanalakshmi of a government job.

Following this, Dhanalakshmi returned to Tiruchy on Saturday. She was given a rousing welcome at the Airport but little did she know about what was waiting for her. While everyone was rejoicing for her, the spinster to her shock was informed about the demise of her elder sister who was her backbone for Tokyo Olympics Sojourn. She soon broke down on the road and filled the place with her cries. Her mother lifted the inconsolable Dhanalakshmi and took her back home.

Talking to ABP Nadu, Usha, mother of Dhanalakshmi said, “I didn’t tell Dhanalakshmi about the demise of her sister since I did not want her to feel sad and her hard work to go as a waste. My elder daughter will always keep a check on the performance of Dhanalakshmi and her absence has put us into deep sadness.”

The mother said, “I am happy that Dhanalakshmi participated in the Olympics and her five-year hard work has paid off. I hope that she will work harder next time and get a medal in Olympics. But her sister is not blessed enough to see this.”