Seventy years after Independent India won its first Olympic gold in hockey in London defeating Britain, living legend Balbir Singh Sr. today went down the memory lanes and said he was overwhelmed by a sense of patriotism after the triumph.
"The event happened 70 years ago, but it feels like only yesterday. I still remember the feeling when the Indian flag was hoisted at the 1948 Olympics when we beat Britain 4-0," Balbir Sr. said.
"As our national anthem was being played and the tri-colour was going up, I felt that I too was flying with the flag. The sense of patriotism that I felt is beyond any other feeling in the world," the 94-year-old triple Olympic gold medallist reminisced.
Balbir Sr, who started as a goalkeeper before moving up as a full-back and eventually a centre-forward, said that the win was also special as it was over India's once colonial masters, who had ruled until a year back then.
The victorious team had received a grand welcome from the Indian fans upon their
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