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'System failed me': Parag Patil shares journey from international athlete to cab driver


Published on 2025-01-02 05:45:43 - MSN
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  • Financial difficulties kept Patil from becoming a full-time athlete. He emphasised need to support senior athletes like him. His story went viral after being shared by a passenger.

Parag Patil, once an international athlete who competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has transitioned to working as a cab driver in Pune due to financial struggles. Despite his achievements in swimming, including setting national records and winning medals, Patil faced significant challenges post-retirement. He highlighted the lack of support for athletes in India, stating that the system failed him as he received no financial aid or job opportunities after his athletic career. Patil now drives a cab to make ends meet, expressing his disappointment in the sports system which does not provide for athletes once they retire, leaving them to fend for themselves. His story sheds light on the broader issue of athlete welfare in India, where many former sports stars struggle financially after their competitive years.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/system-failed-me-parag-patil-shares-journey-from-international-athlete-to-cab-driver/ar-AA1wQtSA ]