Fact check: Did cabbie Parag Patil win Olympic medals?

A heartwarming yet bittersweet story recently took social media by storm when entrepreneur Aaryan Singh Kushwahshared his experience of meeting a cab driver, Parag Patil, who claimed to be a decorated Olympian.

According to Kushwah’s now viral LinkedIn post, Patil had represented India internationally, winning two golds and 11 silver medals.

However, despite his achievements, he now struggles financially, driving a cab with an aggregator to support his family.

The post sparked widespread outrage and discussions about athlete welfare in India. But is the story entirely accurate?

We fact-checked the claims to uncover the truth behind Parag Patil’s inspiring yet challenging journey.

The claim

Parag Patil is a former Olympian with two golds and 11 silver medals in international events, now working as a cab driver due to financial struggles.

What’s true

As it turns out, Parag Patil did not represent India at the summer Olympic games. Instead, he was an athlete who has competed in the Senior Olympics, a competition meant for veteran athletes. 

The international event hands older athletes a chance to showcase their capabilities.

While most that viewed the post might interpret Patil's medals as having come from the famed quadrennial summer Olympics, it is important to cite difference.

That said, Patil’s story is an undeniably remarkable one at that.

Patil's achievements

Patil began his international athletic career at the age of 30, after years of training while balancing a full-time job.

His first major appearance was at the 2013 International Veterans Athletics Championship, where he earned three silver medals.

Over the years, he participated in various events, including the 2015 Australian Masters Games, where he won two golds and two silvers.

These accomplishments were often achieved at the cost of extraordinary personal and financial burden.

Despite his achievements, he continued to struggled financially throughout his career.

He often funded his trips to international events through high-interest loans. For example, to compete in the Senior Olympics in Italy, he borrowed money at a staggering 17% monthly interest rate.

During his time there, he survived on minimal food due to a lack of funds but still managed to win a silver and two bronze medals.

Returning to India, Patil faced little recognition or support.

The lack of media coverage and institutional aid left him burdened with debt, forcing him to drive a cab to make ends meet.