Everyone knows that the 2016 Rio Olympic Games are coming soon this summer. However, the deadline to qualify is even closer. July 12^th 2016 is the looming deadline for many runners with sights set on Rio. A recent Miami (Ohio) graduate, Karan Sachdeva, is planning to fulfill his dream to go to the Olympic Games, be it this year at Rio, or at the 2020 Tokyo Games in the 5,000-meter event. He will be representing his home country of India, having already qualified for the Indian National Team over the summer of 2015 running a 14:20. Most recently, three weeks ago, Karan ran a time of 13:45 in California.

He will need to narrow it down to 13:25 to reach the Olympic standard. This time would also award him the Indian National Record in the 5000-meter event, which was last set in 1992 at 13:29.7.

Photo courtesy: Karan Sachdeva

Karan moved to the United States from India in 2000 and went on to attend Bellbrook Middle School. With Cricket not being a mainline sport here in the states, Karan got a feel for several events, from the high jump to long jump. Eventually, he found his place as he became a serious threat on the track when running the mile event.

After Middle School, Karan went on to do well in the Cross Country season. By his senior year, Karan qualified for the regional race. In one of Karan’s first races he placed 37^th in a local race known as the “Bob Schul Invitational,” and sixth place in that meet in 2009. Little did he know that years later, this man, Bob Schul, would become his coach.

With his running times not yet at its peak, Karan attended Miami University (Ohio) for academics where he studied mechanical engineering. Karan did not run on the University’s track team. During his sophomore year of college, his grandfather tragically passed away. Unable to leave the states due to school, Karan was not able to see him one final time before his passing.

Just as Karan was losing focus and meaning to his training, his mentality became his strength as he began running for his grandfather. His belief in God helped him deal with the tragedy, and remain grounded in his training.

Months later, Karan was officially reacquainted with Bob Schul. In November of 2012, Schul visited the campus of his Alma Mater to speak to students, including many other athletes. Karan had just set his sights on the Olympics, and Schul is no stranger to the Games, having won the 5,000 meter race at the 1964 Tokyo Games. To this day, no other American has won a gold medal in this event.

Now, Karan Sachdeva is under the tutelage of the former United States Olympian and former record holder. Schul is Karan’s first coach since his high school days, but the level of competition is now at the international level- a heavy contrast to the OHSAA Regional Cross Country meet. For now, Karan is still hitting his 100-mile weeks and two-a-day workouts. He also makes use of current technology, such as Cryotherapy, for full recovery, and to maintain a world-class body.

30 Apr 2016 – Via Twitter @KFLASH23

Karan ran a 14:20 in the grueling Indian heat in order to qualify for his spot on the country’s National Track & Field Team. The last time Team India gained a medal in the track and field events at the Olympic Games was back during the 1900 games in Paris. Born in Calcutta, Norman Pritchard represented India when he won a silver medal in the 200-meter dash, and in the 200-meters hurdles. Pritchard was a member of an old colonial family and although he was born in India, he was undisputedly British. This made him a considerably controversial Olympian. However, his medals officially fall under India.

Thus far, the latest appearance of India being represented in the 5000-meter race was in 1992 in the Barcelona Olympic Games by the aforementioned man who currently holds the Indian national record.

Many people will say that talent is a given, but it is hard work that truly develops the character of an individual. With that thought, Karan lives a very clean life. Since beginning his training, he has quit drinking, going out, and enjoys a vegetarian diet to reach his goals. This is what sets Karan apart from other athletes. Karan has always stated; “I don’t go out, I go to bed early and I study for school.” He has also told me, "no beer bro!" However those are all very important aspects that every aspiring athlete should learn.

With that being said, we all wish the best of luck to Karan Sachdeva to reach his goal of reaching the Olympic Games, and that as much as we enjoy watching him succeed, we understand all of the “under cover” work day-in and day-out.

Summer of 2015, Fairborn Track