India's Performances in Olympics

The Olympics are almost over. To no great surprise, India measured up relatively poorly in terms of medals won, not only against developed Western countries but against other developing nations like China and Brazil. While India remains a developing country, it's hardly alone during this. It certainly has the resources to fund a minimum of a program capable of delivering up a moderate number of victories. After all, India can find the cash to send probes to Mars and therefore the moon. And India’s large bourgeoisie, complete with their trainers and air-conditioned gyms, should a minimum of being ready to field more winners. India’s record is such, together commentator acknowledged, “Michael Phelps has won as many medals on his own as Team India has managed since 1900.”This isn't to downplay the achievements of India’s athletes at the Olympics, who had to compete within the face of enormous indifference and callousness from Indian officials. Many Indian athletes performed well primarily due to their efforts, and therefore the effort of their families. As of this writing, two Indians have won medals: PV Sindhu took home a silver for badminton and Sakshi Malik, a bronze for wrestling. Another athlete, Dipa Karmakar, became the primary female Indian gymnast to compete within the Olympics, and placed in fourth within the vault. A golfer, Aditi Ashok qualified for the golf final, and a runner, Lalita Babar, became the second Indian woman to qualify for the ultimate of track and match. The bigger issue is channelling the skills of these Indians with access to food and facilities toward a goal of winning more medals at sporting events. India, unlike China, seems to lack the big drive to compete with the West and beat it on its terms as to how of redressing centuries of colonial humiliation.

Avinash Sinha 

Birla School, Pilani