American Sisters Cheer for Ledecky, Team USA at Paris Olympics
Eleven-year-old Sahana Bhattal and her nine-year-old sister Meher couldn’t contain their excitement at the La Défense Arena in Paris. The venue, once graced by pop star Taylor Swift, was now transformed into the swimming hub for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Dressed in Team USA shirts, the sisters, accompanied by their parents, Tej and Sumedha Bhattal, cheered enthusiastically for Katie Ledecky and other American swimmers. The family, originally from India but now residing in Chicago, had traveled to Paris to witness the spectacle firsthand.
“The girls swim competitively and were eager to experience this in person,” said Sumedha. “Sahana also plays volleyball, so we’re attending those games as well.”
Despite their daughters’ allegiance to Team USA, the Bhattal parents remained loyal to their Indian roots. They had supported Team India during their recent ICC T20 World Cup triumph. Tej, a former college athlete, was particularly excited to watch the athletics events, especially the javelin throw where Neeraj Chopra would defend his Olympic gold.
“We had planned to attend the Tokyo Olympics for my father’s 70th birthday, but COVID prevented that,” said Sumedha. “Now, we’re here in Paris celebrating his 75th, hopefully with another gold for Chopra.”
The Bhattal family had extended their trip with a five-day stopover in Norway, making it a memorable vacation. Their enthusiasm and passion for sports, both American and Indian, exemplified the spirit of the Olympic Games.
