Mind Over Matter

Gurinder Osan speaks about his rigorous training and meticulous planning that went into capturing some of the most popular images at the Tokyo Olympics 2021.

- Gurinder Osan

Following the Afro-Asian Games in 2003, David Guttenfelder, my senior and friend at The Associated Press (AP) commented, “Not Olympic material yet.” As a mentor, his words mattered, and thus began a dogged pursuit towards becoming ‘Olympic material’. Eventually, when the prospect of covering the games in Tokyo presented itself, after a three-decade-long career as a photojournalist, I was determined to go.

This assignment was a watershed moment in my career. As a team leader at the Hindustan Times for five years, and now, at Press Trust of India (PTI) for four years, I have had fewer chances to pick up my camera, as I have always prioritised my team members for shoots. Although I am a photographer at heart, my role inadvertently tilted me towards the managerial aspects of the operation.

COVID-19, however, had other plans. The Tokyo Olympic 2020 was postponed to 2021, and as the number of cases grew exponentially, the possibility of the Olympics taking place decreased in parallel. Amidst all the uncertainty, I picked up the baton late from my colleague, who chose not to go considering the risks and uncertainty. Thus began the elaborate paperwork needed for adhering not just to the regular Olympic paperwork, but also the added COVID protocols. It wasn’t easy. A cursory calculation tells me that I spent 50% energy in ensuring the multiple layers of permissions, approvals, COVID-19 tests being in place, 40% in reaching the various venues that were far apart, and a mere 10% on actual photography! Having said that, and in hindsight, it was totally worth it!