Photo: Mathrubhumi
O Chandrasekharan smiled when the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics appeared on TV at his home in Kochi.
"My dad doesn't remember anything now. He simply watches whenever the game is played on TV. But he couldn't even identify what game it is. He does not even recognize his children now," said Sudheer, the son of former Olympian, who was part of the Indian football team that played in the 1960 Rome Olympics.
Struggling with dementia, Chandrasekharan has no memories of his times in Olympics. Yet, he is always in front of the TV with a smile on his face.
"My father would always tell me that he played for India in the 1960 Rome Olympics. After losing to Hungary in the first match, India drew with a stronger side fielded by France. My father had fond memories of that game in his mind for a long time. Eventually, India lost to Peru in the last match but it was an unforgettable Olympics for him," said Sudheer.
Chandrasekharan was also part of the Indian team that competes in the qualifying round of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. India lost 4-0 to Iran in the first quarter of the decisive match held in Iran but won 4-1 in the return leg held at Kolkata. Unfortunately, India didn't qualify due to the goal difference. Sudheer recalls that his father always used to tell him about that game.
Chandrasekharan also witnessed the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, when he visited Sudheer, who lives in the United States. "My father was excited to go to the Olympics that day. My father watched Indian hockey matches and some other competitions. My father and mother Vimala also went to see the Olympics in Atlanta that day,'' Sudheer added.
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