Here’s why relay athlete Dhanalakshmi was distraught after returning from the Olympics in Tokyo

Dhanalakshmi Sekhar, a member of the Indian mixed relay team in the 4×400 m at the Tokyo Olympics, was inconsolable upon her return to Tiruchirappalli after learning of her sister’s death due to sickness. Dhanalakshmi, a reserve member of the team, was not notified of her sister’s death due to sickness since her family wanted her to concentrate on the event.

When she arrived at Tiruchirappalli with her teammate Shubha Venkataraman, she was informed and broke down, kneeling on her knees and with her face cupped in her hands, after learning about her sister, who had been a huge help throughout her career. Dhanalakshmi made a fantastic performance at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala, breaking PT Usha’s record in the 200 m heats and also winning gold in the 100m against Dutee Chand.

She won gold in the 100m with a time of 11.39 seconds, and she set a new record in the 200m with a time of 23.26 seconds, shattering Usha’s previous record of 23.30 seconds set 23 years ago. Dhanalakshmi started out as a kho-kho player, but a physical education teacher at school suggested she convert to sprinting, and she trained with Indian railway athlete Manikanda Arumugam.

The sprinter’s father, Sekhar, died while she was young, and she was reared by her farmer mother, Usha.