Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Lakshmi Mittal Compares Business Success With Olympic Perseverance
Lakshmi Mittal is a famous Indian businessman who leads a large steel company.
In 2012, he talked about how business success is similar to winning in the Olympics.
He said both require people to keep working hard for a long time.
Athletes practice every day to become better.
Business leaders also face difficult challenges and must continue trying.
Mittal compared handling business pressure with competing in a demanding sport.
He shared these thoughts after he and his son were chosen to carry the Olympic torch.
His message was that perseverance can help people achieve important goals.
Lakshmi Mittal, born June 15, 1950, is an Indian industrialist known as the “King of Steel.”
He is executive chairman of ArcelorMittal, described as the world’s largest steel and mining company by output.
Mittal gave the quote in July 2012 before the London 2012 Olympic Games.
He and his son, Aditya, were selected as torchbearers for the Olympic Torch Relay.
Mittal said business success and Olympic achievement both require perseverance, stamina, practice, and mental strength.
- Who
- Lakshmi Mittal, with his son Aditya also mentioned as a torchbearer.
- What
- Mittal compared the principles behind business success with those behind Olympic achievement.
- When
- He made the statement in July 2012, ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
- Where
- The statement was submitted to the official Olympic website in connection with the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.
- Why
- He wanted to explain that perseverance, practice, stamina, and mental strength underpin success in both business and athletics.
- Full name
- Lakshmi Mittal
- Born
- June 15, 1950, in Rajasthan
- Occupation
- Indian industrialist
- Company role
- Executive chairman of ArcelorMittal
- Quote date
- July 2012
- Olympic connection
- Selected with his son, Aditya, as an Olympic Torch Relay torchbearer
- Civilian honour
- Awarded India’s Padma Vibhushan in 2008