Marathon followed by a skydive, 77-year-old army veteran completes double adventure in Siberia
A 77-year-old Indian Army veteran, Lt. Col. O.P.N. Kalyan, completed a 10-km marathon and a tandem skydive in Siberia. These feats follow his previous adventures, including expeditions to the North and South Poles.
Why it matters
The story serves as an inspirational human-interest piece highlighting the physical capabilities and adventurous spirit of senior citizens.
A 77-year-old Bengaluru-based Indian Army veteran particpated in the XXXVI Siberian International Marathon at Omsk, Russia.
Lt. Col. O.P.N. Kalyan (retd.), a retired Army Service Corps officer, completed a 10-km run in the marathon on August 1. Around 6,190 runners took part in the event, with only four foreign participants — two from Kenya, one from Ethiopia and Lt. Col. Kalyan representing India.
“It was a proud and emotional moment for me to participate in the Siberian marathon and represent India. It had been my lifetime dream to run in Siberia, and finally, at the age of 77, I was able to accomplish it,” he said.
The next day on August 2, he took to the skies again, completing a tandem skydive from an altitude of 3,000 metres over Omsk.
The veteran undertook a tandem skydiving jump at the Omsk Aviation Sports Club of DOSAAF, Russia.
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