Vece Paes (L) and son Leander Paes (R) both won medals at the Summer Olympics. (Image: X)

Dr. Vece Paes, an Olympic hockey bronze medalist and pioneering sports medicine expert, passed away on Thursday at the age of 80. Born in Goa in April 1945, Dr. Paes achieved distinction in both sports and medicine, most notably as a midfielder in the Indian hockey team that won bronze at the 1972 Munich Olympics, while later establishing himself as a prominent figure in sports medicine and administration.Dr. Paes demonstrated exceptional versatility in athletics throughout his career, participating in multiple sports at competitive levels. Beyond his Olympic achievement in hockey, he competed in divisional cricket, football, and rugby, showcasing his broad athletic capabilities.His connection to rugby extended beyond playing, as he served as the president of the Indian Rugby Football Union for six years, from 1996 to 2002, contributing to the sport’s development in India.After pursuing his medical education in Kolkata, Dr. Paes successfully merged his medical expertise with his passion for sports. This unique combination led to significant contributions in sports medicine, particularly in the realm of anti-doping education.His professional involvement with major sporting organisations included work with the Asian Cricket Council and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In these roles, he managed anti-doping education programmes, establishing himself as a respected authority in sports medicine.Dr. Paes’s medical background and sports experience positioned him uniquely to understand and address the health challenges faced by athletes. His work in sports medicine earned widespread recognition and helped establish new standards in athletic healthcare and anti-doping practices in India.