Olympic fever.

In ancient times, Olympics were greek way of settling scores without shedding blood where Greek athletes used to compete with each other for glory and pride. Iranians always wondered how could these greeks fight their asses off for crown of Olive leaves!!!! For greeks it used to be a celebration time.


Times changed, the festival which was lost in the annals of history was revived again. Entire world would wait for it. It became the biggest celebration of human race. But some how, world's second largest population got never invited into this party. Two weeks of sports extravaganza was always used to be gloomiest period for Indian athletes (other than hockey magicians). How can you expect that when most of the times, it never figured in medal tally itself and countries with population less than Chandigarh's used to win bountiful. Initial days of hope used to give way to disgust and guilt. So near but yet so far cases like PT Usha and Milkha singh used to make even more heart wrenching and Olympic show used to only get limited to closing ceremony.


In 96, Paes broke the Individual medal drought in Tennis with bronze. Malleshwari followed it up with a bronze in 2000, entire India was kinna content that we at least registered on medal tally (ahead of Pakistan:)). In 2004, Rathore moved up the pedestal with a silver and India was again very happy. Imagine a country of billion people feeling in cloud 9 with 1 medal.


2008 Beijing. Expectations were high as that it will be special this time. Although hockey teams were absent for the first time in History but we had star shooters, ace tennis players, slew of weightlifters, upcoming archers and baddies, veteran jumper. People were expecting count to exceed.


When Bindra shot a perfect 10 to win India's first ever Olympic gold, entire India became euphoric. We had OUR GOLD MEDAL. Govts started en cashing on euphoria by announcing gifts, cash prizes which made even cricketers jealous. Initial Hysteria got over and it started sinking in that remaining athletes have started crumbling under pressure. Feeling left out, India again started withdrawing itself out of Olympics. In came Akhil Kumar like a pleasant breeze. India started believing in itself and Akhil. This guy was so full of positive energy that his fellow boxers also got sprinkling of it. All three breezed into quarters. Suddenly, three medals were in sight. Media was making Indian hysterical and Politicians were making it mad. Pressure took its toll on Akhil and Jitendar. Both lost in QF but Vijendar kept his nerves to reach semis (Unluckily he lost). In the meanwhile, Sushil Kumar in repechage style, won a bronze out of no where . India was over the moon. Three medals were the best ever showing India had. Above expectations. A show stolen by lesser known mortals. Now, kids know the names of these medal winners. Superb display.


Right now, as I write this piece, our byte hungry media is going crazy hounding each and every one related to all three medal winners. Politicians are falling over each other to award these guys. Bipasha wants to go out on date with Vijendar. Last I heard, Haryana CM has ordered approach road to Vijendar's house to be built in a night. Dont take me wrong, its very good to appreciate and award special efforts but all this reeks of opportunism. No body gives a shit what these athletes would have gone thru, what should be done to build upon this start, how can we match China. All they want is cheap publicity. Earlier it used to be cricketers, now its Olympians. Bloody glory hunters.


I think main reason behind this media circus is scarcity of real winners in Indian sporting arena. Cricket used to provide a shallow cover for our olympic under achievements. Now thats also not the case. Ever wondered why don't we produce olympic winners? reasons are aplenty. system, culture, resources are the ones more famously and frequently quoted.


But is it fair to put entire blame on politicians or system? A quick look at medal tally will show that there are so many countries which are very poor or are ruled by corrupt dictators but still have more medals than India. Ever wondered why? I agree that politicians should also be blamed but point to ponder upon is that how many of our athletes practice day and night with single minded dedication of achieving Olympic glory? How many of our swimmers practice 16KM swim on daily basis? I agree that quite a lot of people don’t take sports as carrier choice but there a lot who do (go to any local/national level competition and you will see crowds of participants. ) but how many of these athletes have taken up sports with aim of winning Olympic? Most of them come to participate and win a certificate which might land them a job in railways or other govt. PSUs. I am not trying demean these hard working athletes but I don’t think that entire blame should go to system or politicians. Athletes also have some responsibility.


On positive note, things are looking better as Indian athletes are COMPETING now instead of just participating as was the case in 80s and 90s. But its time to have bring more Akhils into system who instill belief into entire team and nurture Vijendars. Time to encourage more Sushils who are ready to work aways from media glare. Time to bring in more resource rich Bindras who dont rely on system to shoot down gold.


Do comment your thoughts as well.