Lakshya Sen's Family Rents Apartment Near Paris Olympics Badminton Venue to Provide Son Home-Cooked Food

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Aiming for a podium finish at the Olympic Games is a daunting task, especially for those making their debut. The Paris Olympic Games are no exception to this high-stakes scenario. For India's 22-year-old badminton prodigy, Lakshya Sen, the challenge is immense, but so is the support system around him.

To provide Lakshya with the best possible environment for success, his family has taken an extraordinary step. They have rented an apartment close to the Porte de la Chapelle Arena, where the badminton competition will unfold from July 27 to August 5.

"We have an apartment just around the corner of the Porte de la Chapelle Arena," Lakshya's father, DK Sen, shared in an interview with myKhel from Paris. Follow our elaborated Paris Olympics Live Coverage

DK Sen, a former Sports Authority of India (SAI) badminton coach, is joined by Lakshya's mother and elder brother Chirag. Their collective mission is to bolster the young shuttler's quest for a medal in his Olympic debut.

The entire Sen family is leaving no stone unturned. Chirag, who was one of Lakshya's training partners during the pre-event practice in Marseilles, is there to ensure his brother is in peak form. After arriving at the Games Village on July 22, the family settled into their rented apartment, a move meticulously planned to provide Lakshya with a semblance of home away from home.

Emotional support from his mother and her culinary skills play a crucial role. She prepares Lakshya's favourite meals, providing a comforting and familiar touch amidst the high-pressure environment.

"When Lakshya visits his family after morning practice sessions or during the day, his mother prepares a banana and strawberry smoothie for him. Even non-veg meals depending on what he tells her," DK Sen explained. "He has a choice of having home food apart from enjoying his meals at the Games Village."

The family has also arranged for a temporary gym membership near their apartment, ensuring that Lakshya's physical conditioning is top-notch. "We have also got a temporary membership of a gym near our apartment for six sessions (for Euros 40)," the father noted.

Understanding the magnitude of the Olympics, DK Sen emphasizes the importance of holistic support. "To achieve excellence in a major competition like the Olympic Games, the player has to be physically, mentally, and emotionally strong," he said. "Olympics are different from other major competitions. Everyone wants to win a medal at the world's biggest sporting extravaganza that comes after four long years."

Reflecting on the men's singles fixture, DK Sen acknowledges the formidable challenge ahead but remains optimistic. "The polishing has been done in the last leg of the preparation," he said confidently.

With his family's unwavering support and meticulous planning, Lakshya Sen is not just aiming to compete but to shine at the Paris Olympics, showcasing the power of home-cooked food, emotional backing, and rigorous training in his journey towards Olympic glory.