Tiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu): It was a sad arrival back home for Olympian Dhanalakshmi Sekar from Tamil Nadu as she learnt that her sister, her biggest support system, was no more. As she arrived at the airport, the sprinter was accorded a grand welcome by her fans. However, she was soon down on her knees with her face cupped in her hands as her mother informed her about the passing away of her sister.
Dhanalakshmi was a reserve member of the Indian mixed relay team of 4x400 m at the Tokyo Olympics. Her sister, who had been her constant support throughout her sporting journey, passed away due to illness when she was in Tokyo. Her relatives chose to refrain from breaking the news to her so that she could focus on her final preparations and the event. It was only when she arrived back did her mother, the only living member in the family, chose to reveal the news to her.
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Dhanalakshmi is a recipient of several trophies at the national level. Taking cognisance of her scintillating performance at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala, she was picked up in the national team to represent the country in the Tokyo Olympics.
The sprinter had lost her father when she was young. Of her two sisters, one had passed away several years ago. Now, with the death of another sibling, Dhanalakshmi is the only support to her mother.
