P. T. Usha

“In the '80s, there was this talk about a thrower whose urine was sent for testing after a meet and it tested positive for pregnancy! Apparently, his urine was replaced with that of a female nurse at the clinic. I don't know if the story was true, but in those primitive days of dope testing India, you could not have laughed it off.”

“My dad did not want me to take up sport initially, he was worried that I would get injured.”

“Without Nambiar sir's guidance I would not have been able to achieve what I did for the country.”

“At the 1985 Asian Track and Field meet in Jakarta, where I won five golds and a bronze, I was taken for testing after every race, which reduced my recovery time considerably; otherwise I could have performed even better.”

“During the time of Olympics I felt very lonely. Nobody was there at my side, to guide me or attend to my needs. In the Olympic village I had to travel alone up to the mess and competition ground as well as to the practice ground.”

“My parents provided me the best they could, if not more. I was even provided goat milk by my parents.”

“An athlete is responsible whatever she takes - be it food supplement or whatever.”

“I think javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has a good chance of winning a medal at the Paris Olympics.”

“The saddest part of my career has been missing the Olympic medal by one-hundredth of a second.”

“Winning the 400 meters gold at the pre-Olympics gave me a little confidence. I thought I could win a medal if I tried.”

“Unlike cricket or tennis, athletics receive no money and so it remains a poor man's sport.”

“I used to train on the beach when I went home.”

“I was shocked after hearing the news of Milkha Singh's death. He was a great athlete... an inspiring personality.”

“It was those medals I won at Kottayam that gave me the confidence to dream it big in athletics.”

“Although I am training 12-year-olds at my School of Athletics, they will hit the track only after three or four years.”

“After my first track event, sports became my life.”

“If you win even one tournament or medal, people can think they have become big.”

“I always believe that speed is the essence for any sport.”

“There is so much of politics in sport that I sometimes wonder how did I survive for such a long time.”

“When I passed 7th standard, govt. of Kerala announced a separate sports school for aspiring young girls. During the selection trials, I stood first in district level as well as state level.”