Sport Instills Values Beyond Winning, Says Olympian Swimmer Srihari Nataraj

BENGALURU: Olympian swimmer Srihari Nataraj underscored the importance of life lessons imparted through sports, emphasizing that the journey goes far beyond winning. Speaking at the “From The Ground Up” panel discussion during the SFA (Sports for All) Championships, Nataraj reflected on his own experiences as a professional athlete.

“I’ve participated in 3,000 races and finished first in only about 300 of them,” he revealed, highlighting the resilience and humility gained from facing more failures than successes. Despite fewer major wins in recent years, he believes the values learned through consistent effort and perseverance outweigh the medals and trophies.

According to Nataraj, sport teaches athletes to focus on self-improvement and integrity. “It’s about being the best version of yourself. If you’re honest with your training and give your best in competition, you can live with the results, whatever they may be,” he stated.

He also emphasized that while results are often beyond an athlete’s control, the values of discipline, commitment, and resilience cultivated through the sporting journey are irreplaceable.

The SFA Championships provided a platform for young athletes to engage with seasoned professionals like Nataraj, inspiring them to view sports as a holistic growth process rather than just a means to achieve victories.