From winning medals for India to joining Roadies: This Asian Games double silver medallist joins Bani J’s team to begin new journey on television

Indian track athlete Harmilan Bains, who won two silver medals at the 2022 Asian Games, has taken up a new challenge away from athletics. The 800m and 1500m runner has joined the popular reality show Roadies, surprising fans with her appearance on the programme. Bains has joined the team led by Gurbani Judge, popularly known as Bani J. The show, hosted by Rannvijay Singha, features contestants divided into different gangs led by personalities from the entertainment industry. Participants compete in tasks that test their physical strength, endurance and mental abilities. Neha Dhupia, Nikhil Chinapa and Prince Narula are also part of the show as gang leaders. Bains caught attention with her fitness and sporting background as she entered the competition.

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Harmilan Bains opens up about depression after missing Paris Olympics

Beyond her appearance on television, Bains has also spoken about the difficult period she faced after failing to qualify for the Paris Olympics in 2024.

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Speaking to IANS, the athlete revealed that the disappointment had affected her mental health and that she had even experienced thoughts of suicide and quitting everything. She said the experience had taught her the importance of enjoying one's profession without putting excessive pressure on oneself.

"My message is enjoy your sport, don't be so stressed, because I was under stress after missing my Olympics. I was almost in depression. Thoughts were coming in my mind, like suicide and just quitting everything, run away from my city. My message to the parents is to let your child do whatever they want to and to the youngsters it is never too late to change your sport, your profession just enjoy whatever it is you're doing," Harmilan Bains told IANS.

She also urged parents to allow children to pursue their interests and encouraged young people not to feel that it is too late to change their career or profession.

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From knee surgery to two Asian Games silver medals

Bains has had to overcome several setbacks during her athletics career. After going through an unbeaten run in individual races in 2021, she underwent knee surgery that kept her away from competition for around 10 months.

However, she returned to the track and went on to win silver medals in both the women's 800m and 1500m events at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

The double podium finish established her as one of India's prominent middle-distance runners. She also won gold at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships.

Bains previously held the national record in the women's 1500m event, which was later broken by K. M. Deeksha.

Who is Harmilan Bains? Know about the Indian athlete

Born on July 23, 1998, in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, Harmilan Bains is an Indian middle-distance runner who competes in the 800m and 1500m events.

She came into the spotlight with her performances on the international athletics circuit and further strengthened her reputation with two silver medals at the 2022 Asian Games.

Her career has included major achievements as well as periods of injury and recovery. With her entry into Roadies, Bains is now taking on a different kind of competition, moving from the athletics track to a reality television format.


Inputs from agencies