“Govt Of India Did Not Help Me & I Got Ready In My Own Money,” Reveals Gold Medalist Gomathi Marimuthu

Gomathi Marimuthu brought laurels to the country by claiming the gold medal in the 800-meters track event at the recently concluded Asian Athletic Championships in Doha, Qatar.

The golden women’s journey from a small village in Tamil Nadu to the glitzy race tracks of the International championship was, however, not all about glitter and gold. She rather had a tough fight funding herself and training hard to reach the gold!

In a recently held press meet, after her historic victory, Gomathi opened up about her days of struggle and immense hard work. Speaking of her inspiring journey, she told TNM, “I had to fight for my rights at every step. I have seen many athletes give up because they did not have the help or the resources needed to prepare. I would be happy if the government helps them.”

She further said, “I was confident about winning a medal and had practiced well. I was not part of the camp for a month and trained alone. Government of India did not help me and I got ready in my own money.”

Thanking his father for all his support, Gomathi talked about the sacrifices he has made to make his daughter train and emerge as a gold medalist athlete.

She said, “My father was not able to walk when I was training for the championship. We don’t have bus or light facilities in my village. So to catch the bus at 4.30, my father used to wake me up at 4 am and help me with household work if my mother is not well. I miss him.”

“When my father was not well and admitted in the hospital, he ate the food kept for cattle just because he wanted to provide food for me for sports training I still cannot accept or forget it. If he was alive now, I would have considered him as my God,” added Gomathi with tears rolling down her cheeks.

“He used to tell me that I have chances to win the gold. I was in the second position till the last 50 meters (in the Asian championships). In the last 50 meters, I raced ahead and was able to win the gold, which was possible only through my hard work. I was so happy to know that I had finished first. More so when I heard that I was the first medal for India in the championship,” she fondly recalled.

Gomathi is quite aware of what she has achieved and how big a deal it is! “In my age, it is not easy to clock the best timing. But I did and I am happy. If I work harder, I can do better. My target is to clock a record timing in the upcoming World Championship. If I perform well in these World Championships, there are chances that I might win a medal in Olympics.”

She, however, seemed disappointed with the government for not helping her and believes that if she gets proper funding and training from the government she would surely achieve greater heights!

“If the government of Tamil Nadu helps me, I will train hard and try and win an Olympics medal. There is still one year for the event,” she says with confidence in her eyes.

Congratulations Gomathi! We wish all the best to her and hope she continues to bring laurels to our nation!