The ultimate Olympian, for my generation, was the runner Milkha Singh. This is not to take anything away from India’s legendary hockey team and its Olympic exploits. But Singh was the lone runner, running against the system, running for us. He came fourth in the 400 metres final at the Rome Olympics of 1960 — before I was born — but his speed and his commitment made him a household name. For another generation, it was PT Usha, whose run in the 1984 Olympics mimicked Singh’s — she also missed a bronze medal by a hair’s breadth.

Monica Puig (C) won the first gold medal for Puerto Rico. Seen here with silver medallist, Germany’s Angelique Kerber (L), and bronze medallist, Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova (R) after the women’s singles tennis event at the Olympics. Pic/AFP