Part 2  of 10 part series - 2/10

1924 Paris Olympics – First from Punjab to compete in the Olympics

(Saurabh Duggal)

Recruited into the First Patiala Infantry (Patiala State Forces), Dalip Singh, born in Dolon Khurd village in Ludhiana on April 27, 1899, became the first from Punjab to compete in the Olympics. He represented India, then under British rule, in the long jump event at the 1924 Paris Olympics, also serving as the captain of the seven-member athletics squad.

The Indian contingent in Paris comprised 14 members, including seven in tennis.

Though the Indian athletes couldn’t make a significant impact in Paris, long jumper Dalip Singh had a decent outing, narrowly missing a position in the finals (top-6) by three quarters of an inch.

Among the participants from the undivided Punjab (post-Partition, the Eastern part remained with India while the Western part went to Pakistan) in the 1924 Olympics were two sportspersons – Dalip Singh (Athletics) and Mohammed Sleem (lawn tennis). However, as Dalip's event took place on July 8 and Mohammed’s on July 13, Dalip earned the honor of being the first Olympian from Punjab to compete in the Olympics.

The 1924 Games featured two Sikhs, Dalip Singh from Punjab and Pala Singh from the United Province, now Uttar Pradesh. Consequently, Dalip Singh was also the first Sikh from Punjab to compete in the quadrennial games.

Dalip Singh also had the honor of being the first from Punjab to compete in two Olympics when he was selected for the 1928 Amsterdam Olympic Games.

Continued...

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https://www.pixstory.com/story/brigadier-dalip-singhs-legacy-1924-olympian-torchbearer-of-the-first-asian-games1718519171/319046