Antonio Diniz
It’s so amazing that a mere two medals won by India at the Rio Olympics has created such a phenomenal euphoria, excitement and joy to the millions of Indians. Certainly this state of contentment must have even surpassed the happiness of winning 111 medals felt by the Americans. It may be because Americans are expected to win medals as a matter of habit while Indians athletes are expected primarily to participate and may be win just a few.
History has shown us that Indians are united only on two occasions one at times of tragedy when we share our grief and go all out to extend assistance to each other in whatever ways possible. Two, when Indian athletes or players are in action in sporting events, when we cheer them wholeheartedly and want them to be victorious. During these two major events we easily cross all barriers of politics, religion, language, caste, creed etc, which otherwise separate us and we behave as one united India. Also it’s the only time when the politicians take a back seat and the entire country’s attention, importance and limelight are focused on our returning victorious heroes and heroines.
However our overall performance at world sports has seldom been satisfactory and at times far below expectation, inspite of enormous sums of money spent and tremendous amount of coaching imparted to the participants inspite of our limited infrastructure. Our so called ‘the best’ who are sent to represent India are seldom good enough to excel and win laurels. They need to put in their best efforts, commitments and performances. Performing at Olympics and other World Sporting events is entirely a different ball game. The good old adage that ‘participation is more important than winning’ does not hold water, it’s just a cliche.
Winning medals is the only thing that matters and missing by a very tiny fraction has no place for praises in the true sense. Again sending large contingent of participants who do not meet the very high standards needed to win medals offers no solution. Very stringent yardsticks are to applied both at the time of preparation and then at the time of selections and only those athletes who meet the full international criteria be chosen. Here, there is no place for nepotism nor emotions.
Finally just hoping to win medals is not sufficient but ensuring by all available means that we will win medals is of paramount importance.
