Long before India’s swimmers made their mark at the Asian Games or the Commonwealth stage, one man carved a unique place in history: D.D. Mulji, who became India’s first Olympic swimmer at the 1928 Amsterdam Games.
Representing India in the men’s 100m freestyle, D.D. Mulji took to the waters at a time when competitive swimming was still in its infancy in the country. Competing against some of the world’s best, his participation was a milestone moment — India’s official entry into Olympic aquatics. Though he didn’t advance beyond the heats, Mulji’s presence alone was a significant leap for Indian sport, signaling early ambition on the world’s biggest sporting platform.
Two decades later, Indian swimming broke another barrier — this time in terms of gender. At the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, India’s women swimmers made their debut, marking a historic moment in both national and international sport. Though records are sparse, their participation laid the groundwork for future champions and inspired generations of women to pursue competitive swimming despite cultural and infrastructural challenges.
These early Olympians, both men and women, competed not for medals alone but for visibility, representation, and a dream that sport in India could be more than just cricket or hockey. They swam against the current — literally and metaphorically — and left behind a legacy that deserves recognition.
As India continues to make strides in international aquatics, the stories of pioneers like D.D. Mulji and the brave women of 1952 serve as powerful reminders of where it all began — with quiet courage, fierce determination, and the belief that every race matters.
