Despite late bloomer, 30 years old international cross-country skier from Coorg in Karnataka hasn’t lost hope but set her sight for next Winter Olympic Games cycle

Navneet Singh

Coorg’s 30 years old international cross country skier Bhavani Thekkada from Karnataka was disappointed to narrowly miss a ticket to 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games in the women’s 10k cross country skiing. “The qualification system is complicated and challenging,” she told Sportsbackstory.com on her return from Europe.

In pursuit of her dream to make debut at the February 6 to 22 Winter Olympic Games in the Italian skiing resort of Milano Cortina, the Indian cross-country skier tested her mind and body to the core over the last seven-eight months at European skiing competition circuit as there aren’t any international Winter Olympic Games qualification event on the India soil.

Bhavani says she missed the qualification mark in the women’s 10km cross country skiing event for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games by two minutes. But she hasn’t lost hope and is ready for the long haul for the next Winter Olympic Games cycle!

It was so close yet so far to earn a ticket to the Winter Olympic Games, she recalls. “It was a good learning lesson for an Indian competitor like me on the European circuit,” she adds.

She also got ample support from Olympic champion and multiple World medallist Jessie Diggins of USA and Shiva Keshavan, a retired Indian luger and six-time Winter Olympian. “At times I was disappointed for facing hardship on the international circuit but encouraging words from Jessie and Keshavan continued to lift my spirits,” Bhavani reveals.

The Coorg’s international skier competed in as many as seven international events including the World Cup in Norway this year. She was also a member of the Indian squad that competed at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in China, but finished outside the medal bracket in the 5km cross country event.

Having won bronze in the cross country skiing event in Chile earlier this year raised hopes of winning a berth for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. But things didn’t go as expected as the deadline came close, she says. In her last 10km cross country skiing competition in Europe she missed the flight to Italy. “Had I been a bit faster over the 10km course in my last race I could have made it to Italy for the Winter Olympic Games,” she says.

The 30 years old from Coorg didn’t go by the books and started Winter Sports when she was 26. Through perseverance she started moving forward. “I started Winter Sports quite late,” the international skier claims. “Since India doesn’t have good facilities I had to go to Europe to practice and compete.”

Since Winter sports is confined to Himalayan states, including Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Bhavani was on her own. Initially due to lack of funds she could only compete in just two international events in 2022. However, later she got sponsors. “Winter Sports are expensive. You should have deep pockets. Otherwise, it’s challenging to pursue goals. A day’s expenses in Europe, including meals, are around 150 Euros (Rs 15,000 app). Coaching is also expensive,” she reveals.

Bhavani says she will take a short break and will start afresh for next season. Her main focus will be the Winter Asian Games in 2029 in Saudi Arabia. The 2030 Winter Olympic Games will be held in France. “In coming season I’ll be more experienced to handle the challenging course to earn a spot for the Winter Olympic Games,” she says.

ENDS