August 30, 2016: It may not have been at the Olympics but a gold medal is a gold medal.
Introducing India’s centenarian runner Man Kaur, who despite being the only competitor in her age category, finished her race to win the medal at the Americas Masters Games.
Kaur needed one-and-a-half minutes to finish the 100-meter sprint. When she crossed the finish line in Vancouver, she was applauded by her competitors, most of whom were in theirs 70s and 80s.
By winning the gold, Kaur has become a worldwide inspiration for athletes over 30 who participate in the games.
“When she wins, she goes back to India, and she’s excited to tell others, ‘I have won so many medals from this country’,” said Kaur’s son Gurdev Singh (78).
“Winning makes her happy,” he added.
Kaur, who has previously won gold medals in shot put and javelin, was all smiles after finishing her race. The victorious woman raised her hands in the air and when asked how she felt, she took a moment to catch her breath and gulp down some much-needed water.
“She encourages them, old ladies, that they should run, they should not eat wrong foods, and they should encourage their children also to take part in the Games,” Singh added.
By Anjali Bisaria
