Dipa did not win a medal in the Olympics and barely missed the bronze by reaching the 4th place. She came in the last in the pre-finals, ranking 8th. Her training regimen in India never matched to the advanced countries like USA. She lost out in the Olympics.
Dipa, it wouldn’t have mattered more if you had won a medal or not. You kindled a magic of hope, a ray of prayer without the mumbo-jumbo of religions. Every Indian was united quickly, forgetting the ever prevailing cricket and all other sundry games. We forgot cow, urine and Dalits, we kept aside our bickering and fights. All we wanted was that you win, just not to add glory to our country, but to reward you for the unthinkable tenacity, grit and beauty of performance that you wove through your smile and simplicity.
You are our heroine, medal are no medal! I bow my head in reverence with my countrymen. India salutes you!
Sampath Kumar
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