Film and sport stars from across the country have come together to raise Rs 10 lakh to sponsor champion luger Shiva Keshavan's sled ahead of the winter Olympics to be held in Sochi, Russia, in February 2014. This will be the fifth Olympic appearance for Keshavan, 32.
Luge is the fastest of all sledging sports, with lugers going downhill at speeds touching 150 km per hour. Equipment with the best aerodynamics to aid manoeuvring and reduce friction is of paramount importance. The stars were supported by several nameless Indians from across the country, the UK and the US, who have contributed to the fundraiser set up by Olympic Gold Quest and actor Kunal Kapoor's online crowd-funding platform Ketto.
In 40 days, the initiative helped Keshavan raise Rs 9.1 lakh. Kunal hopes the remaining Rs 90,000 will be collected over the next 11 days through the campaign, which is live on Ketto.org till December 31.
Those who supported the initiative were Freida Pinto, Yammi Gautam, Abhishek Bachchan and tennis ace Leander Paes, who have been using their online fan following to persuade people to contribute to Shiva's cause.
Kapoor believes the Rs 10 lakh will put Shiva, the fastest Asian luger, on par with the other contestants who have the support of advanced technology, and set him on course for a gold medal.
"In this sport the difference between winning and losing is a fraction of the second and it is equipment that makes the difference," said Kapoor. "I have yet to meet Shiva but when I heard that his participation in the 2014 Winter Olympics was in jeopardy because of lack of funds, I felt compelled to reach out. There's no government or corporate support so it's great that our own people are now coming forward for to send an athlete to the Olympics. It's never happened before anywhere in the world. Shiva's is a really inspiring story about courage and determination and it will be great if we can meet at some point."
Kunal, who had earlier financed the US trip of Shweta Katti, a sex worker's daughter, so she could get a scholarship, now wants to help other athletes live out their dreams. "The OGQ has sent us a list of names, but it's too early to discuss this" he says.
The qualification process for the Olympics is in progress. There are nine World Cups and an Asian Championship in the lead up to the Games. Shiva needs to be in the Top 40 to compete, he is currently at a creditable 27th position.
"The first time I qualified for a World Cup I had broken my leg in the pre-race training, but I kept quiet about it and participated in the race because it meant a lot to me. Had the authorities known, I would not have been allowed," Shiva has admitted in an interview.
This time he is in prime physical fitness. The hitch is that the Indian Olympic Association has been suspended by the International Olympic Committee because of the inclusion of corrupt officials. If the suspension is not lifted before the Sochi Games, which run from February 7-23, Shiva and other Indians can only participate as independent athletes under the Olympic flag. Shiva has his fingers crossed, so does every Indian who wants him to bring home a gold.
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