Dhinidhi Desinghu is part of a two-member Indian swimming contingent at the Paris Olympics.
Bengaluru: At just 14 years old, Dhinidhi Desinghu is set to make history as the youngest member of the Indian contingent at the Paris Olympics later this month. While her peers enjoy the carefree pleasures of adolescence, Dhinidhi has chosen a path marked by discipline, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to her dream of competing on the world’s biggest stage. A ninth-grader, Dhinidhi has already made significant waves in Indian swimming.
Her medal-winning performances at the National Games and senior National championships last year, along with her top rankings this season, led the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) to award her one of the two Universality places at the Olympics. This recognition of her potential is an honor and an incredible opportunity for the young swimmer.
“Sometimes I miss the fun generally kids of my age have. I do not go out much with friends and feel lonely. But then I wanted to swim and I wanted to go to the Olympics,” Dhinidhi said in an interview. “I am the one who chose this path for me. With that comes a lot of sacrifices, but I do feel different, extraordinary, and proud. At 14, I am going to the Olympics, so all the sacrifices are worth it,” she added.
Notably, Dhinidhi is one of the two Indian swimmers at the Paris Olympics. The other swimmer is Srihari Nataraj (100m backstroke). Dhinidhi will be competing in the 200m freestyle event. Despite her youth, Dhinidhi displayed remarkable maturity and a forward-looking mindset. According to her, its just the start of her journey and aspires to compete at 2028 and 2032 editions as well.
“I knew that I had a chance (of making the Olympics) because I have been working very hard, but it was surprising that I got this chance so early in my career. Being the youngest one in the Indian contingent is a big honor. I am super excited to be a part of the Indian Olympic contingent as I will get a chance to meet the greatest athletes,” said Dhinidhi.
“This is just the beginning and I have a long, long way to go. I am really excited to know what more I can do in 2028 and 2032. I want to experience the feeling of staying at the Olympic Village, see what kind of races are held there, and observe the dedication, focus, and preparation of world-class athletes. I am not thinking about performance as it is just about learning this time. I am sure whatever learnings I have here will make me a better athlete.”
One of the most exciting prospects for Dhinidhi is the chance to meet her idol, seven-time Olympic gold medallist swimmer Katie Ledecky. “I made a greeting card last year for her. I used to think that whenever I got a chance to meet her, I would give this to her. I looked up at her from a very young age and luckily, I got this chance. Hopefully, I can give it to her in Paris. I will be on the seventh moon if I get a chance to even see her,” she said.
Dhinidhi’s journey to the Olympics is not just a personal milestone but a beacon of hope for Indian swimming, which has faced challenges in recent Olympic cycles. Her selection signifies a bright future for the sport in India and inspires young athletes to dream big.
