The most decorated American denies photo opportunity with Nepali swimmer

Rio de Janeiro, August 13

Shirish Gurung and Michael Phelps made headlines this week. While Gurung shone for the Himalayan nation of Nepal for breaking the national record at Rio Olympics, American Phelps stole the limelight of the Games and stunned the world by winning four gold medals to take his tally to 22.

Both swam at the same pool, Olympic Park’s Aquatics Stadium, albeit in different events and different times. Gurung watched his idol win gold medals in Rio and was inspired to do well. And he did too. The Nepali swimmer set a new national record in 100m freestyle, covering the distance in 57.76 seconds, improving on his own previous best of 58.22sec.

Gurung was the happiest man on earth when he achieved what he wanted on the eve of his 18th birthday. He rejoiced the moment of getting the opportunity to represent the country in Olympics and also achieved the target of breaking the national record at the biggest stage. “Like every other athlete, I also had a dream of playing in Olympics. And I did that. I am an Olympian now,” Gurung said after finishing the heats on August 9. “And I am happy to be the first swimmer to break national record in Olympics.”

But everything did not go as planned for the Tribhuvan Army Club swimmer. Apart from breaking national record, Gurung had set another target — meet his idol Phelps and take a picture with him — ever since he got the entry through Universality Places. He did meet Phelps twice at Olympic Village, where all the athletes stay during the Games. Gurung requested Phelps for a photo opportunity. Sad for Gurung, the American super star swimmer denied on both occasions. “I met him twice at the Village and requested to take a picture with him. But he disappointed me both the times,” said Gurung. “He is my idol and I am a huge fan of Phelps. I hope to meet him again and have a snap with him,” he said.

On Thursday, Shirish Gurung watched his idol Phelps — the most decorated athlete in Olympics — claim his 22nd gold medal when he won the 200m Individual Medley.

Phelps — who also won 200m Butterfly, 4X100m Freestyle Relay and 4X200m Freestyle gold medals at Rio — became the first swimmer to win the same event for four consecutive times in Olympics. While Phelps was preparing for his final event of Rio Olympics, the 100m butterfly finals on Friday, Gurung left Rio de Janeiro with heavy heart, for not getting a chance to take a snap with his idol despite coming so close.