Swami’s demise, loss to sport

En route at Malta, Swami fell sick. The doctors found it difficult to diagnose the disease. Fearing that it may be contagious, he was isolated from the rest of the contingent. The journey was so tiring for him that when the team reached Berlin from Marseilles, he had to be virtually carried to the Olympic village. He was admitted to the West End Hospital where the disease was diagnosed as Paratyphus.

He stayed for more than three weeks in the hospital and lost almost 15 kgs. But the best part of it was that none of the Indians went to see whether he was dead or alive. Not one to lose heart, he persuaded the doctors there to discharge him. “My country has spent more than Rs 20,000 for me. I have to participate,” he argued.

Despite the doctors’ warning not to leave the hospital, he ventured to complete the race and was placed 37th in a field of 51. That spirit and will power was in him even years after the historic event.

Swami felt proud to be called an Olympian and he rightly named his residence “Olympian House”.

Marathon was not his only cup of tea but he varied his interest in other fields too. He went on to officiate in the Asian Football Championship for the Colombo Cup at Yangoon. He worked for quite a few journals and The Indian Express, where he served as Sports Editor for nearly half a century. Swami (84) is survived by three daughters and two sons.