Olympic Dream

Minati lived to fulfil one dream. The dream of participating in the Olympic games. She had read of the first games under the modern Olympics being held in Athens, Greece in 1896. In school she participated in athletics and won prizes. Her history teacher had told her class of the earlier historical Olympic games that were held before the Christian era . The famous race that had run by the Macedonian runner Phidipides, the precursor to the modern day Marathon . Minati heard all these glorious stories and was getting motivated . Now it was a passion. The modern Olympic games were held being inspired by the games held in ancient Greece many centuries ago.

Initially, Minati participated in all the races and the jumps and did well in all of them. But as she grew older she started concentrating on the middle distance races, the 400 metres, 800 metres and 1500 metres. The athletic coach had advised her to do so seeing her potential more in these events. Also practicing in these events were easy compared to the jumps where the ground infrastructure was needed.

Minati was careful that her running practices did not affect the timing for her school and tuitions. Because being from a middle class family, her family would not let her put her games prior to her studies. So she had to keep her self always ready in practice mode. Because she knew that she would be answerable to herself only if she missed her regular practices. No one would question her if she was absent from the games field. Her parents would take her to task only if she missed her school or tuition classes or if her results were bad. So Minati was fighting a lone battle to keep her Olympic Dream alive.

Little did she know what lay for her in future. Her battle had just begun.

Minati participated in all the middle distance running in her school events. She held all the records which no one could break for many years. Then she participated in the local inter school competition and then in the district levels. At every level her participation was stellar. But her family would not allow her to participate in events that were held in very distant centers where overnight stay was necessary. Her coach spoke to her family but they did not show much interest. It was a lonely battle for Minati. Still Minati continued to battle all odds. Sometimes, she used to get fed up with herself because she was being tied up with so much other commitments that finding time for her practices became impossible. But she never let any obstacle break her resolution. Even if she missed out on one day's practice then she would ensure to do double the practice the next day compensating for the previous day. In this way Minati maintained a fine balance between all other work on one side and her games practice on the other. But Minati couldn't break away from her existing orbit and her Olympic Dream seemed to get more distant than ever. Then after she passed out from school, her parents were hell bent on giving her away in marriage.

But, Minati resisted with all her mental strength. Her parents brought all their relatives from all over to counsel on the benefits and the security of a holy wedlock. No one seemed to give a care for her dreams. Slowly the iron will of the girl began to wilt. Then, finally, Minati gave in under pressure and got married. But she was lucky to have a husband like Harish, who empathised with her dreams although it was by going against her in laws. At her in law's house she enjoyed all the benefits of a new bride but harboring any dreams of a sporting career was a strict no. Her husband who was working in the government sports department had somewhat of an advantageous position to let Minati practice on the sports facilities unquestioned from the authorities. But the major hurdle was from her in laws. Even she got the permission to pursue her graduation studies but sports participation was negated. Then with discussion with her husband, Minati decided to select sports studies and physical education as subjects for her graduation. Then she could participate in the field sports for her practicals. Her parents in law never got to know about it so there was no hassles for her. She even secretly participated in her favourite middle distance races. But a spark can light a fire in no time.

Minati's participation never failed to enthuse others because it was always an award winning one. Slowly her success news reached her in laws. Again a period of turmoil started at home. She had to again face embargo on her sporting activities. But by this time she had graduated and which she did with flying colours.

Just then the Olympic games of that year had come to an end. The government seeing huge potential from the budding youth population instructed colleges to train young boys and girls as future sports personalities of the country. The colleges also started recruiting young trainers in their sports faculty. Minati saw this as an opportunity and got selected as a trainer. She could now feel that her dream of an Olympic participation was still alive. But there was insurmountable hurdles in her way ahead . Specially that from her in laws. Her husband though supported her but he seemed to be suppressed from his parent's pressure.

Minati, now a working lady was earning her own money now . Strange, she felt, her in laws allowed her to do a job but disallowed her participation in the sporting events. They felt that due to her sporting activities her motherhood would be affected.

Continuing with her struggles, Minati, however didn't bury her dreams. Though as time was passing and she was growing older, her dreams of participating real time as a runner was waning away. So she changed tack and now kept her Olympic dreams alive as a coach rather than a participant.

As luck would have it, Minati saw a vacancy for the post of a junior coach for the country's Olympics hopefuls. She applied and got selected. She didn't let her in laws know, even Harish her husband was unaware. Then when the time came for her to join and reach the capital, she announced about the news to her in laws. Every one was stunned to hear this. Harish was most puzzled and even pained to an extent that Minati could overlook him. But he knew that Minati was determined and nothing would change her now.

All types of advise and counselling couldn't deter Minati from her decision. Minati had to leave alone, because Harish was working at a fixed job which was not transferable. Harish's parents were visibly annoyed. Now even after more than five years had passed after the marriage and still there was no child from Harish and Minati who were wilfully postponing parent hood due to the 'absurd' ambitions of their daughter in law.

Minati soon joined as coach at the national training centre. There she excelled as a coach. Her efforts had resulted in the training of two young sports girls as middle distance runners. In a couple of years these girls became medal prospects in the upcoming Olympics. Minati got the chance to visit the Olympic games as a coach to these two young prospective. Now, at long last, Minati's dream of an Olympic participation was realised even though as a coach.