Kathmandu, Nepal: Nepal's first Olympian, Mr. Bhupendra Silwal, passed away at the Army Hospital Chhauni on Thursday, September 20. He was 78. Mr. Silwal participated in the marathon at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964. Before that he competed in the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo, notably running without shoes.

Mr. Silwal is a legend in the history of sport in Nepal, and also a great inspiration for Nepalese athletes.   

At the funeral, NOC President Mr. Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan and Secretary General Mr. Jeevan Ram Shrestha jointly covered the body of Mr. Silwal with NOC Nepal's flag. From last Friday to Sunday the NOC Nepal was flying its flag at half-mast to honour the first Nepalese Olympian, Mr Bhupendra Silwal.