Shamsher Khan, the country’s first swimmer who had participated in the 1956 Summer Olympics, died at his native village Repalle on Sunday.

Mr. Khan, 92, died of heart attack, his eldest son Babu said.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Leader of the Opposition Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, and Principal Secretary L.V. Subramanyam condoled the death of Mr. Kahn.

The funeral rites would be performed on Monday.

Mr. Khan had enrolled himself in the Indian Army in 1949. He had taken part in various national swimming competitions. He won a place in the Indian Olympics contingent that had visited Australia in 1956. He, however, secured fourth place in the competition. He continued to serve in the Army till he retired in 1973. After retirement, he settled at Repalle.

He lived a life of penury till his death. In July 2016, the Andhra Pradesh Government awarded him ₹25 lakh.

While Mr. Khan’s eldest son is a farmer, his second son is working in a private company.

source: http://www.tlhehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / by Staff Reporter / Guntur , October 15th, 2017