| The Rising Nepal |
February
9, 2002
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| Title: First Nepalese Winter Olympian | ||
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| By
Sushil Thapa Winchester, VA, US – With the XIX Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake, Utah just around the corner, there is something to cheer and talk about. Never before in the 78 years old history of the games has Nepal participated. But the story will change soon. Believe it or not when the mega spectacle kicks off at Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium on 8 February, a Nepali will proudly parade along with hundreds of international athletes in front of a massive crowd. The athlete representing Nepal needs no formal introduction. He is well known nationally and internationally. He is no other than Jaya Khadka, the adopted son of British millionaire Richard Morley. It was Morley’s painstaking fight against the British government over Khadka’s adoption that made international headlines. It took him seven arduous years to make the British government accept the adoption. Khadka, 25 is a sports enthusiast. His boyhood dream was to represent Nepal in an international meet. Today he is only days away from fulfilling it. When he steps on the ice he will become the first Nepali winter games Olympian. The day is bound to be very, very special for him and Nepal. Jay’s specialty is the giant slalom but he will compete in the 10 km cross country event. Though he stands a very slim chance to come up trumps but he hopes to finish the two courses. For someone like Jay who hails from a country where winter sports is unknown and not in existence Nepal’s representation at the Olympics is matter of pride to the country. |