Indian Olympian and GLS alumna discusses resilience, women in sport, fitness and the need to build a stronger sporting culture in India
Ahmedabad :Indian Olympian and swimmer Maana Patel, a GLS alumna, returned to her alma mater for an engaging conversation with Ms. Chandni Kapadia, Executive Director, GLS University, as part of “Decoded with Chandni Kapadia.”
Maana spoke about her journey from taking up swimming at the age of seven to representing India at the Tokyo Olympics, highlighting the role of discipline, resilience and consistency.
Reflecting on the Olympics, she said, “Olympics is a moment; it is not a destination.” She also shared her approach to fitness, including waking up at 5 a.m. for training while working in Switzerland.
The interaction covered women in sport, body image, India’s sporting culture beyond cricket, grassroots sports and the importance of fitness and healthy habits.
With Ahmedabad preparing for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, Maana also emphasised the role of citizens, schools and families in creating a stronger sporting ecosystem. The session concluded with reflections on Success, Resilience and Identity, offering students insights into the mindset behind an Olympic journey.