Asian Games double gold medallist Hari Chand passes away at age of 69

Source: Twitter

Asian Games double gold medallist and Olympian Hari Chand passed away on Monday (June 13) morning at the age of 69 in Hoshiarpur. Born on April 1, 1953, the former long distance runner hailed from Ghorewah village in Hoshiarpur, Punjab.

Hari Chand was one of the greats that India has produced in distance running. He participated in two Olympic Games. In the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, he came eighth in the 10,000m with a time of 28:48.72, which was a national record that stood for 32 years. He then took part in the 1980 Olympic Men's Marathon where the Indian completed the race with a timing of 2:22:08 at Lenin Stadium, Moskva.

Saddened by news of the passing of India's distance-running legend, Hari Chand. A two-time Olympian and winner of two gold medals (5000m and 10000m) in 1978 Asian Games, his National Record (28:48.72) for the 25-lapper set in the 1976 Olympic Games stood for 32 years. #InMemoriam

— G Rajaraman (@g_rajaraman) June 13, 2022

The unsung hero of Indian athletics also bagged two gold medals in the 1978 Bangkok Asian Games. In Thailand, Hari was on the top step of the podium in both 5000m and 10,000m events.For his contribution to sports in India, Hari Chand was also conferred with Arjuna Award.