When India's Arif Khan steps into the Beijing National Stadium for the opening ceremony at next month's Winter Olympics it will mark the culmination of a journey over a decade in the making.
Khan, who has qualified in slalom and giant slalom, is India's sole representative at the Games, and his path to the Olympics from the snowy slopes of conflict-ridden Kashmir was far from straightforward.
"It's going to be a big responsibility, being one in a billion and carrying the flag," the 31-year-old Khan said. "That will be an inspirational moment."
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