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Have we done enough?


Sitting on our lounge chairs and comfy sofas nibbling on tit bits in front of the tele, all we can do is crib about the pathetic condition of our cricket team, politicians accepting bribes, bomb blasts, murders, kidnappings and well, the state of affairs over all. We should realise that somewhere, a large contingent of people are giving it all they have got in preparation for a major event which would decide which is the fittest and most supreme country in the world!
For those ignorant personalities who still don't know what I am talking about, the Olympics begin in a few weeks! Its a fact to ponder about: which other event other than this can decide which is the best country in the world? With all the nations eligible to participate, this spectacle would be the center of attention for the sports fraternity all over the world for the coming months.
After the collapse of the USSR, which led the medals tally in the mid to late 20th century, USA has now been leading the charts in the Olympics bagging maximum medals and showing to the world why they are to be feared and respected as a disciplined sporting nation. China, which has made its way through sheer determination and grit, found itself standing second in the last Olympics held in Athens. They have adopted the technique which was incorporated by the Soviets, ie. starting the training at a very young age. They hand picked children in school and gave them training through-out their youth thus moulding them into excellent men/women atheletes. Sport centers have cropped up throughout China dedicated for the sole purpose of training these budding youths. It has become part of a big mechanism which aims at churning out gold medalist after gold medalist!
Unlike China, which is using its manpower for the purpose, the USA and UK are using the latest in technology in training their atheletes. Cutting edge equipments help the athelete focus on his/her weak spot and help in making it a strong point in their respective games.
This brings me to my question, "have we done enough?". India, having such a great asset in large manpower is going to China with a mere 55-60 odd sportspersons. Olympics have always painted a grim picture for Indian athelets, who have rarely won any medals in the past games. Apart from the hockey team in the early and mid 1900's, we have never shown any promise in any other sporting catagory. Infact, the situation is so bleak, that for the first time, the Indian hochey team has not even qualified for the Olympics this year!
You might say that I am the same person I mentioned above, the one on the comfy couch,and well I admit it, but all I want to say is that talent should get its due and more and more participation from the youth of India should be encouraged. For this, the infrastructure has to be improved to begin with. With the Commenwealth games around the corner, lets hope this process of improvement of facilities takes a boost and maybe I can participate in the next Olympics..hahah!
All the best to the Indian camp for the Olympics! Do us proud!

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