Learning from India’s near-misses in the Olympics

What drives a small-town athlete to Olympic glory? In this episode of TiE Talks, I sit down with two incredible champions: Viren Rasquinha, former captain of the Indian hockey team and CEO of Olympic Gold Quest, and Navdeep Singh, Paralympic gold medalist. Together, we dive into their inspiring journeys—from small-town beginnings to world stages, and the passion that fuels them every single day.

Listen as we explore the role of belief, resilience, and community in creating champions, and what it takes to stay at the top. This is more than a conversation about sports; it’s a lesson in determination for us all!

Discussion Points: Learning from India’s near-misses in the Olympics

• Two Olympians, One Mission – What do champions teach entrepreneurs?
• Fuel from Within – How Navdeep’s unshakable motivation was built.
• The Hardest Moments – Who cheers for athletes when no one’s watching?
• Belief That Breaks Barriers – Viren reveals the secret behind India’s changing mindset.
• Gold Medals and Heartbreaks – What keeps athletes going after narrow misses?
• Picking Your Battles – Why focus is India’s golden ticket to more Olympic wins.
• A Thumbnail Changed My Life – The surprising inspiration behind Navdeep’s javelin journey.
• Hunger vs. Resources – Why the fire burns brightest in small-town India.
• Mental Strength Matters – What separates Olympic hopefuls from champions?
• The Big Dream: 2036 – Could hosting the Olympics change India forever?

Our Guest: Viren Rasquinha & Navdeep Singh

Viren Rasquinha Currently Director and CEO of OGQ, a not-for-profit foundation, which supports training and preparation of athletes in India who have the potential of winning an Olympic medal. Olympian and former Captain of Indian Hockey team. Bestowed Arjuna Award in 2005. Completed MBA from Indian School of Business (ISB) Hyderabad in 2009.

Specialties: Athlete Management, Sports Management, Marketing, Fundraising

Navdeep Singh

Navdeep Singh (born 11 November 2000) is an Indian para-athlete and javelin thrower. He won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. He has also been a bronze medalist at the World Championships.