Despite being left to fend for his own, 1998
Commonwealth Games gold medalist G. Saravanan proved that not only is he an athlete
that wins gold medals but also showed that he has a heart of gold.
For the walker donated his 1998 Commonwealth Games
gold medal to the Olympic Council of Malaysia museum with hope that another
athlete will deliver gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Saravanan bagged the
gold medal through the 50km men's big walk event at the Commonwealth Games 1998
to create a record as no Malaysian had never been able to win any medal in
athletics at the Commonwealth Games.
It remains a
moment etched in the minds of millions of Malaysian glued to the television
sets as 50km walk gold went to Saravanan, as he overhauled longtime leaders
Craig Barrett and Tim Berrett from New Zealand and Canada respectively to cross
the finish line.
“Until today
I still get goose bumps thinking of that moment as it was truly an historic
moment for the country,” said Saravanan.
“I remember
the then Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohammad challenging the athletes to win
Malaysia’s 10th gold medal and that kept me going.
“This medal
has been lying in my cupboard for the last 15 years and I think its time that
it helps others inspire them to bring glory to the nation.
“I want it to
be placed in the museum so that others can also relate to the win, especially
those from athletics as we have not won a gold medal since 1998 in athletics. Hopefully
this will inspire the athletes to deliver the goods as we could do with a
revival of sorts in athletics.”
Saravanan was
employed as a coach with the National Sports Council until 2012 when his
contract was not renewed. Though he did not want to elaborate much, one could
sense that Saravanan is bitter at the way he was treated.
“I am happy
at what I have achieved and I do some coaching on my own so that’s enough for
me,” added Saravanan.
