Interview Times 
BHUBANESWAR: Rajesh Patil, Commissioner of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), has become the first officer from Odisha’s all-India and state services to complete the rigorous IRONMAN 70.3 event, held on Sunday in Panaji, Goa. The IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon—a grueling sequence of 1.9 km of swimming, 90 km of cycling, and 21.1 km of running—presents a formidable challenge, which Patil successfully undertook within the event’s cutoff time.
The fourth edition of IRONMAN 70.3 Goa was flagged off at Miramar Beach by Goa minister Govind Gawde, attracting participants from across the globe. Since its inception, IRONMAN 70.3 Goa has drawn triathletes from over 57 countries, and this year’s race saw competitors from more than 75 towns and cities nationwide. Notably, this year’s edition included over 120 athletes from Central and state government services, with women representing approximately 12-15% of the participants. Impressively, over 60% of participants were first-time competitors, a testament to the event’s growing influence in expanding India’s triathlon community.
The event not only showcased athletic endurance but also celebrated the Fit India Movement, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019, which encourages citizens to incorporate fitness into their daily routines. Patil attributed his decision to participate in the IRONMAN 70.3 challenge to the inspiration he found in the Fit India initiative, noting its mission to instill long-lasting behavioral changes toward a physically active lifestyle.
Goa’s local residents also shared their excitement, praising the state government for creating a platform for young people to engage in such a competitive and inspiring sporting event. The IRONMAN 70.3 Goa serves as a motivation for GenNext, encouraging them to adopt an active and healthy lifestyle, inspired by the achievements of trailblazers like Rajesh Patil.
