London Punjab- born Fauja Singh, who defies age to run marathons, drew the loudest cheers today as the Olympic Torch was carried by him, leading individuals Olympic medal winners through London amidst a welcome clear sky and sunshine.
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p> Clad in all- white apparel and a matching white turban, the sprightly Singh carried the torch accompanied by hundreds of admirers, including Sikhs with yellow T- shirts bearing Singhs image, who hailed him every moment of the distance he travelled. Singh was born in 1911, and began running at 86 to keep himself occupied. He has since set several records for people of his age, running six London marathons, two Canada marathons and the New York marathon. Clearly a bit of a sensation for his achievements, his participation in the relay today was described by admirers andonlookers as ” a moment of history.” Singh, who carried the Olympics Torch in Athens eight years ago, now wants to carry it before the 2016 Olympics too, when he will be 105. United Sikhs, a charity organisation organised a alt39 langaralt39 at 16 points along the torch relay route to celebrate Fauja Singhs efforts. The torch from Greenwich to Waltham Forest was carried by several Olympians, including Nadia Comaneci, and Indian- origin individuals who have excelled in various fields, such as Kaushali Trivedi ( 23), Natasha Sinha ( 15), Priya Rajgor ( 20) and Dhrashti Shah ( 16).
The relays youngest and oldest ( Fauja Singh) were among the 143 torch- bearers today. The youngest was Chester Chambers, 12, who was nominated for representing his classmates, fundraising and helping to develop an anti- bullying campaign. Today was the first day of the Olympics torchs seven- day tour of London in the final countdown to the Games. Hopes that the constant rains of the last few weeks will give way to sunshine during the Olympics were realised today.
Parvinder Kaur, manager of the alt39 langaralt39 project, said: ” We are proud to share with the public the 500- year- old Sikh tradition of serving free meals to celebrate the carrying of the Olympic Torch by Bhai Fauja Singh.’- PTI
