Odisha boy Somesh sets eyes on 2024 Olympics; to train in Jamaica

Rourkela: Bringing laurels to the state, Odisha lad Somesh Swain of Delhi Public School (DPS) in Rourkela bagged gold medal in the grand finale of the All India 100 mts competition held at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex in New Delhi.

Somesh was felicitated at the Rourkela railway station after he received a rousing welcome by the district sports authority and his family members.

Currently, Somesh is being trained by Dhiren Samantasinghar at the Delhi Public School ground.

The organising authority of the event, Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) has also selected him to train under a foreign coach in Jamaica.

The Odisha lad has set his eyes on the 2024 Olympics and preparations are at peak, sources said.

Swain said, "I was confident but the competition was a bit tough out there. The confidence level went down following second position in the semi-finals. Then in the finals, I gave my best and bagged gold. My confidence level is high now. I will try to represent my country in the Olympics."

As per sources, Somesh along with nine other youngsters have been selected following their performance in the grand finale of GAIL Indian Speed Star Season III.

The competition was organised as a nationwide trial to identify budding track and field athletes. Reportedly, the 10 winners will join an elite group of 14 athletes selected in the previous two seasons of this initiative. These 14 athletes have been undergoing training at the prestigious Racers Track Club in Kingston, Jamaica which is the training ground of champions including Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake.