Hi all, Good 2 see mixed comments.But i think its really wise 2 progress than 2 blame. India didnt perform well 2 grab a 2nd podium finish, although it might have performed 2 its ever best.
Now many have voiced out what i feel. So guess it will be really nice if rediff could summarise this n present it so that we can an upliftment in the field of olympics.
Well now after the completion of olympics, what remains in our heart is pure anxiety. That is quiet natural, but how long this lasts? we totally forget about olympics in a few days from now and suddenly in 2008 few days before beijing olympics, it will start to hit our senses and will raise all sorts of hopes. Honestly think, how many of us pay attention to athletics other than in olympics/common wealth games.
The problem i find is, 1)we dont concentrate at nationals level. We need to have a heavy competition at that level. For that we need more participants. 2)being a second populous nation, whats our representation in athens olympics? a mere 75. is that what we can produce for competition? 3)We people show case only cricket. We should stop giving that much importance to it b4 it haunts the next generation youths.
I think the main reason for our poor performance in Olympics is our obsession with cricket. We have a shit and impotent media (both print and TV which gives excessive coverage to cricket) More than 90 % of people who like watching cricket and reading about cricket are eunuchs and/or mentally retarded people The Govt should ban cricket in India for the next 5 years and promote other sports. Then we can see the difference
Its not fair blaming the author for whats in the article. What he said is true. The atheletes gave excuses.
You dont have to be an athelete in all the fields in Olympics to write about them. Thats ridiculous. I dont know if Prem Panicker or Harsha Bhogle played cricket at any level. Yet people read their articles with interest.
Countries that are poorer than us, that are less populous, less educated, with lesser facilities have won more medals than us. Its not in facilities or money or political stability. Its determination thats lacking in us. And we are not taking responsibility for that.
I am told that the Korean archers practice ten hours everyday. They make sure that even if they perform at half their capacity, they will get a medal. So, just in case they are running a fever or if they are unfit on the day of the competition, the medal will not slip from their grasp. No excuses will be offered or tolerated ! That is what dedication nd committment is all about. High time we Indians realised what is the real meaning of thorough preparation ! Phelps says he trains seven days a week, 365 days a year. He says that evey extra hour of training per day adds up to 365 extra hours of training at the end of the year ! But Indian attitudes are just not the same unfortunately and it wont be a surprise if at Beijing also the same excuses are offered.
The state of AZ in US has a population of 5.5mm. Their medals tally:12 Gold, 9 Silver, 12 bronze. total 33. Better than Italy.
The key is infrastructure, system of development, sports culture and attitude....and keeping the government out of the business of running sports. My 4 year old daughter swims 4x 50 m laps daily!! She will be taking early Gymnastics classes this year. It is not a genetic issue.. Mohini did well here! BTW, india is ripe for sports related investments (see recent IMG investment plans in Hyderabad).. we need the government to get out of managing the sports business, as a first step
