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Here's the thing though...
This is the first time probably in Indian Olympics where SAI, IOF, all sports federations, Govt and other sponsors did their level best into pumping in money before hand so that all the athletes have the best of the best facilities, training etc. Every athlete could get a personal coach, strength training, psychologist, mental conditioning coach, personal dietician/nutritionist.
Govt has literally spent crores with every federation.
Heck even when some athletes complained of heat in Paris, they got portable ACs. Would you believe ?
No other country got such kid gloving and luxury treatment as our athletes this time around.
Prakash Padukone said the same thing for badminton players, but you can easily extrapolate for all the other athletes.
But here's the deal...the athletes who were chosen to represent India were the top athletes in our country no question....and they tried their best...also no question.
But sub-consciously they know if they win even a bronze, they would get a reward, govt job or railways job and their life will be set. The motivation level to win a medal is far different from other sporting nations. Support staff and lesser known athletes know that Paris tourism is a once a lifetime opportunity to roam around click pictures and enjoy evenings and nights in the hope that nobody sees them or it doesn't spread too much in the media.
For Eg: It is known fact that China produces a factory of athletes and they had literally banned celebration of silver and bronze. They only care about gold or nothing. Cause thats what elevates the pride, esteem and brand value of china.
Other nations like Aus, EU nations have a sporting culture. So there is a natural tendency to do well given the climate and body structures required for athletes.
Here's the thumb rule for categorizing nations: Except for US and China.
1. If a country wins more than 10 gold medals it has a sporting culture
2. If a country wins 2-3 golds (less than 10 medals) it is an aspiring sporting culture
3. If a country wins 1 gold and few other medals here and there then it relies on a generational athlete or exceptional talent who is a world beater. (think Neeraj Chopra, Bindra and co)
We are stuck at level 3 for 5 decades now.
So what are the solutions: See Sunil chhetri's video in the post.
1. Stronger grassroots level- to identify and coach the talent
2. Increase sports quota (at every level: education, job etc - controversial but could work wonders)
3. Incentivize and make sports a matter of pride at family level. just like soldiers in the family.
4. Much improvement still needed in infrastructure, equipment and facilities for all sports federations. In a country of 144 cr we just have 2 institutions. I'm not even kidding.
Two institutions, one each in the field of sports coaching and physical education, are functioning under SAI, namely the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS), Patiala and the Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE), Thiruvananthapuram.
Unfortunately, This post will still be valid atleast for another 2 decades if we dont do anything significant.
This is the first time probably in Indian Olympics where SAI, IOF, all sports federations, Govt and other sponsors did their level best into pumping in money before hand so that all the athletes have the best of the best facilities, training etc. Every athlete could get a personal coach, strength training, psychologist, mental conditioning coach, personal dietician/nutritionist.
Govt has literally spent crores with every federation.
Heck even when some athletes complained of heat in Paris, they got portable ACs. Would you believe ?
No other country got such kid gloving and luxury treatment as our athletes this time around.
Prakash Padukone said the same thing for badminton players, but you can easily extrapolate for all the other athletes.
But here's the deal...the athletes who were chosen to represent India were the top athletes in our country no question....and they tried their best...also no question.
But sub-consciously they know if they win even a bronze, they would get a reward, govt job or railways job and their life will be set. The motivation level to win a medal is far different from other sporting nations. Support staff and lesser known athletes know that Paris tourism is a once a lifetime opportunity to roam around click pictures and enjoy evenings and nights in the hope that nobody sees them or it doesn't spread too much in the media.
For Eg: It is known fact that China produces a factory of athletes and they had literally banned celebration of silver and bronze. They only care about gold or nothing. Cause thats what elevates the pride, esteem and brand value of china.
Other nations like Aus, EU nations have a sporting culture. So there is a natural tendency to do well given the climate and body structures required for athletes.
Here's the thumb rule for categorizing nations: Except for US and China.
1. If a country wins more than 10 gold medals it has a sporting culture
2. If a country wins 2-3 golds (less than 10 medals) it is an aspiring sporting culture
3. If a country wins 1 gold and few other medals here and there then it relies on a generational athlete or exceptional talent who is a world beater. (think Neeraj Chopra, Bindra and co)
We are stuck at level 3 for 5 decades now.
So what are the solutions: See Sunil chhetri's video in the post.
1. Stronger grassroots level- to identify and coach the talent
2. Increase sports quota (at every level: education, job etc - controversial but could work wonders)
3. Incentivize and make sports a matter of pride at family level. just like soldiers in the family.
4. Much improvement still needed in infrastructure, equipment and facilities for all sports federations. In a country of 144 cr we just have 2 institutions. I'm not even kidding.
Two institutions, one each in the field of sports coaching and physical education, are functioning under SAI, namely the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS), Patiala and the Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE), Thiruvananthapuram.
Unfortunately, This post will still be valid atleast for another 2 decades if we dont do anything significant.
