'Athletics has taken me to different places'

Gold medal winner Shiny Wilson holding her child after the medal ceremony of the 400 metres women run at the VII SAF Games in Madras on December 23, 1995.

Athletics has given me fame, recognition and job. I am now a GM with the Food Corporation of India, Chennai. Moreover, it has taken me to different places.

My photograph appeared first in the magazine after I won the 800m race in the National junior (under-16) athletics championship in Bengaluru. I was in Class IX then. The magazine has published lovely photos of mine on many occasions — in the National championships, Asian Games, South Asian Games and Olympics. It has sent reporters for major athletics events and has covered the sport really well.

(As told to Stan Rayan)