Legendary runner Hari Chand passes away at 69

NEW DELHI: Two-time Asian Games gold medallist in long-distance running, Hari Chand, passed away on Monday morning aged 69.

Reports said the former athlete was undergoing treatment at Capitol Hospital in Jalandhar. The cremation will likely to take place on June 14 at Ghorewaha village in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district.

Hari Chand, the winner of gold medals in 5000m and 1000m events at the 1978 Bangkok Asian Games, also took part in two Olympics — 1976 Montreal and 1982 Moscow.

The celebrated athlete also made national record in 10,000m at the Montreal Olympics, which stood for 32 years. He finished eighth in the second heat in the race, clocking 28:48.72. Some 32 years later Surendra Singh broke the record.

Hari Chand tried his luck one last time at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, but finished in 10th place in the 10,000m heats.

Among those who expressed condolences at the demise of the legendary athlete included Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who said the celebrated former athlete from Hoshiarpur was the "pride of Indian athletics". (IANS)

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