Olympics all about effort, not just medals
Day 3
My View
The silver medal has come to India in Tokyo Olympics but we still await the lining that should have come along. Shooting has been a dire disappointment with big guns of the Indian contingent bowing out without a fight.
This includes the gold hope Saurabh Chaudhary who could come only 7th in the Gold round despite topping the qualifications and Apurvi Chandela missing bullseye completely in the opening round itself.
But think about it. How much sweat and training goes into the making of an athlete for Olympics? Take the case of rising table tennis star Sharath Kamal Achanta. He beat the World No 20 from a much lower rank. He may or may not be able to haul up a medal in table tennis, a game known to be in the pocket of far east nations, but what really does the word achievement mean?
Should it be limited to getting a medal? Or should it extend to the run up and all that the athlete gave to reach the Big Stage. Achinta, for example, prepared for the Olympics in a more than punishing regime for the past two years.
This included an all-round personal development for the sport. For those two years, he had a single-minded existence – doing everything to enhance his stamina, his skill, his balance, his sleeping cycle and his speed.
He went on a rigorous but muscle building diet which is not easy. Giving up everything dear in the name of consuming everything specified for two long years without any crash-outs speaks of mental strength too. It took away his sluggishness and his tummy fat to give him a flat toned middle and his best shot at the Big Games.
He practised with acumen and precision, took help of international coaches, video referrals and everything that would make him competitive.
He started sleeping to Tokyo timings for two months before the Olympics began. This was to avoid any sleep related ennui or possibilities of a jetlag. He also used technology and sports medicine to do wonders to his gait. A full scan revealed that a body that looked rippling and fit was actually suffering from a big toe disbalance which was hampering his movement at the table. He got that fixed and is now in Tokyo dazzling till now. He plays Round 3 next and his sweat and toil should not go unnoticed even if he fails at the summit.
Indian athletes, besides tackling genetic weaknesses, also need to navigate the lack of sporting upbringing and Government apathy, on their way to world sports. However, one cannot deny that in the past some years corporate sponsorships and some amount of Government support has come their way but it is too early to reap those results for now. Add to that the corona breakout and training getting personalised, and you as a spectator should be happy to see the flashes in the pan, so to say, in Tokyo.