An hour or so before the Olympic Games Paris 2024 bronze medal match between India and Spain, one man stood alone on the turf at the Yves-du-Manoir Hockey Stadium.
Having a quiet moment to himself, India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh sat on the backboard of the goal, looking at the pitch where he would soon make his 336th and final appearance of a stellar international career.
Sitting in a stadium almost completely empty, it was a moment of calm, quiet reflection for one of the great goalkeepers of his generation, knowing that in a couple of hours, bronze medal or not, it would be all over.
Three hours later and proudly wearing a bronze medal around his neck after a sensational goalkeeping display in a 2-1 victory over Spain, the subject of Sreejesh’s private moment came up in the post-match press conference.
“I think if I put that into words you will not understand, because that was my home for the last 24 years”, said the 36-year-old shot-stopper, who ended his career by adding a second Olympic bronze medal to that won at Tokyo 2020. “I never lived a life outside that ground, so I didn't know what was going to happen to me next.
“I just wanted to have my own feelings, to recall all the memories. From the day I first stepped onto a hockey field, the day I put on the pads for the first time, and the way I jumped into the Indian camp for the first time in 2002 and my first international match (in 2006). So I just went through (all of) that (in my head).”
After 18 years’ service to the men’s senior team the man from Kerala, nicknamed ‘the wall of India’, certainly has a lot to reflect on. Paris 2024 was Sreejesh’s fourth Olympic Games, having also featured at London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
Following their shock failure to qualify for Beijing 2008, India returned to Olympic action at London 2012 where they finished bottom of the standings in 12th position. However, their progress since has been notable, building on an eighth-place finish at Rio 2016 by claiming a brilliant bronze medal at Tokyo 2020, their first podium placement since winning gold at Moscow 1980.
Sreejesh, who was named FIH Hockey Stars Goalkeeper of the Year both in 2021 and 2022, was a central figure in India’s resurgence, with their Olympic bronze at Paris 2024 being further evidence, if it were needed, that India – a nation that has won more Olympic hockey medals than any other, including eight golds – are a global force. And while that is likely to continue for many years to come, Sreejesh’s part in their story has come to an end.
"I think here (at the Olympic Games) is the best way to say goodbye to this beautiful game”, said Sreejesh. “I'm so proud and I'm so honoured to play this beautiful game for the last 24 years, and for my country for 20 years. And (with) these guys, this bunch of great players today, they gave their lives to make this happen. Thanks to them, my coaching staff, supporting staff for India, everyone, the government itself has done a wonderful job. That's it. I'm done. Thank you."
When asked whether he had any regrets about his retirement, Sreejesh said: "Yes, there are loads, but I think when you have two Olympic medals around your neck, there is no space for regrets. People always say to me that I miss my family time. But today, my two kids are sitting at home cheering for me, and they are realising what I have done. They know that their dad is doing something great. (Now) I think it's time for me to take all my medals from the cupboard, and it's time for my kids to start their journey, and I'm done, and their life starts."
"I (will) miss everything, it was my life”, continued Sreejesh. “When I was a baby, I stepped on to (play) hockey. From there, I was with the under-16 junior team, then into (the) under-21 junior team, then into the senior team. I don't know what is going to happen outside this hockey world, so now I'm a baby again, going back to the real world to see what is happening there."
For more information about the fabulous Olympic hockey competitions that were played at Paris 2024, visit Olympics.Hockey.
