New Delhi: Indian racewalker Ram Baboo, who recently qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics in the 20 km racewalk event, opened up about the tough times he had during the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced him to work as a labourer under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
He went on to describe his journey from then till two of his biggest accomplishments: an Asian Games medal last year and Olympic qualification. After the coronavirus outbreak, Baboo, who is from a daily wage labour family, had to work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme as a labourer along with his father in order to fund his training. This was a difficult time for him as the pandemic had led to the closure of training facilities and gyms.Despite this, Baboo says that he continued to train on roads for six months in July 2020.
In September 2021, he set a national record in the 35-kilometre racewalk and was selected for the Indian team. He was eventually selected for the Paris 2024 Olympics.Baboo says that his training for the Olympic qualification process has focused on speed, endurance, and strength, as well as technique drills. He expressed gratitude for the support he has received from various bodies, including the UP government, the Union Sports Ministry, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), and IOS Sports and Entertainment.The Asian Games medalist believes that his efforts will have come as a good sign for the country as it looks to emerge from this pandemic.Paris