Beijing Olympics

As the country goes ga-ga over the performances of the Vijender Kumar, Abhinva Bindra and Sushil Kumar, I will take a  step forward and congratulate not just these three but the entire 99-member Indian contingent that went to the Beijing Olympics.

Honestly speaking, their performance has been heart-warming. Before Beijing happened, I had never even heard of a town called Bhiwani. Today, this town has given not one but three high quality boxers in Akhil Kumar, Vijender and Jitender Kumar. One of them ended up with a medal while fate denied the same for the other two.

There were others performances that were equally noteworthy. Remember Saina Nehwal’s performance to beat a higher ranked opponent. Atleast she caught the media’s attention. What about Veerdhawal Khade? This guy carried our hopes of winning a medal against the likes of Micheal Phelps!! The same Micheal Phelps who broke Mark Spitz’s long standing record. The same Micheal Phelps who now wants to participate in other swimming events to set a new bar altogether.  And although Khade failed to qualify, he broke his own personal records with each and every attempt.

Yes we had our share of disappointments too. Rathore failed. Paes and Bhupati never looked like a winning pair in what is most surely their last attempt at the Olympics. My idol, Achanta Sharath Kamal, looked very very rusty to be honest. Anju Bobby George didnt even come with a clean jump!

But thats fine! These things happen! We have a huge heart dont we!

But somehow as my manager came up to me and asked me as to what I thought of our performance down at Beijing, I couldnt help but think that we ought to have ended up with atleast 10 times more medals. Like my manager, most (or maybe some) of you might think that I am being a bit too pessimistic here. But if you wait and hold that thought for a second longer, you know I am being realistic. All it takes is a little more effort : from you, from me, from us! Thats all!

Unfortunately when you come across incidents like this or this, you can only hope that things will improve in the coming few years.

Jai Hind!

Update : You might want to read this too.