I was more focused after Centennial Park bombing, says Leander Paes
8 years, 9 months ago

I was more focused after Centennial Park bombing, says Leander Paes

India TV News  

New Delhi: Leander Paes, one of the 12 individual Olympic medal winners that India has produced in its sporting history, says that surviving the Centennial Park bombing during the 1996 Atlanta Games made him more determined to win the coveted medal. I actually believed I could beat Andre Agassi in the semifinals.” Paes had lost to the American legend in the semis but won the bronze medal play-off against Fernando Meligeni to be the first Indian since 1952 to win an individual Olympic medal. “Every single day, I played with a purpose and things fell into place.” Paes also showed his human side by spending a lot of time with Meligeni. Almost everyone came to congratulate me, and the biggest hugs came from my friends in the Indian hockey team.” He has also shared the pain of missing out on a medal in 2008 Beijing Games, where the great Roger Federer won his first Olympic medal.

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I am privileged to take India’s 1.4 billion people to the Hall of Fame, says Leander Paes
9 months, 3 weeks ago

I am privileged to take India’s 1.4 billion people to the Hall of Fame, says Leander Paes

The Hindu  

Leander Paes’ storied career is dotted with many historic highs. At a fireside chat hosted by Sportstar at The Hindu’s Chennai headquarters, Paes, who was in conversation with Suresh Balakrishna, The Hindu’s Chief Revenue Officer, said it was a “humbling moment.” “Today I am so privileged, to take not just me but India’s 1.4 billion people,” Paes said. And it …

Leander Paes recalls journey to 1996 Atlanta Olympics bronze medal
4 years, 7 months ago

Leander Paes recalls journey to 1996 Atlanta Olympics bronze medal

The Hindu  

Leander Paes would have been days away from competing in his eight Olympics in a pandemic-less world. Paes became independent India’s second individual Olympic medallist — after wrestler Khashaba Jadhav in 1952 — when he won the bronze in singles at the Atlanta Olympics on August 3, 1996. On a rainy day in Mumbai, Paes travelled back in time with …

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