Indian Finn sailor Nachhatar Singh Johal was so determined to enjoy his first Olympics he risked missing the start of the regatta to be at the opening ceremony.
The 29-year-old, India's lone sailor at these Games, flew to Beijing to be at the opening ceremony on Friday, a day before the Finn class got started 690-kilometres away in Qingdao.
While his rivals finalised their preparations, fiddled with the set up on their boats and took some rest ahead of the exertions ahead, Nachhatar returned from the Chinese capital on an early morning flight just hours before the start of the race.
When the race began at 1300, Nachhatar was ready to go.
"I was back at 1030. If somebody says you can't go to the opening ceremony because you will get tired, it doesn't make sense," Nachhatar told Reuters on Sunday.
"I slept for six hours before my race. That is fair enough."
"This is my first Olympics. Performance wise I am not expecting much, because I am inexperienced and have to learn so many things from the top guys.
"So I thought maybe I should enjoy this Olympics and maybe I can miss the opening ceremony of the London Olympics (in 2012)."
Mumbai-based Nachhatar, a major in the Indian army, won a two-man selection battle to race in Qingdao after India were handed a berth when Germany turned down their place.
His campaign was funded by the army, and despite only taking up sailing at the age of 22 and Finn sailing early last year, Nachhatar has already made an impression at the regatta.
He took fourth place in the opening race on Saturday, but has now slipped to 22nd overall in the 26-strong fleet after four races.
Despite enjoying the whole Olympic experience, Nachhatar conceded he wished he had some team mates in Qingdao.
"I would love to have three or four more teams here," he said. "I would prefer to be part of a team."
