Lone Indian challenge in swimming comes to a tame end

Gagan Ullalmath participated in the 1500m freestyle.

India’s lone swimming hope, Gagan Ullalmath crashed out from the 1500m freestyle after finishing last in his heat.

Gagan finished with a time of 16 min 31.14 sec, more than a minute and, a lap slower than the other competitors. The performance of the Indian displayed just how much India lags behind other countries in swimming.

Gagan was controversially given a berth, despite not achieving an Olympic Selection Time, by FINA under the Universality quota which meant other Indian swimmers like Virdhawal Khade and Aaron D’ Souza, who achieved the ‘B’ Standard mark, failed to get a ticket to the event.