Yet another Olympics

Underachieving nation

India (29). The second-most populous nation in the world has won just 17 medals in its history -- that's one medal for every 64,705,882 citizens. Worse yet, India has never won a gold medal that wasn't in field hockey. And this year, for the first time in eight decades, India failed to qualify for the Olympics in that sport. If rival Pakistan brings home a field hockey medal, it will only deepen the shame.

The above piece copied from the lead story on espn.com says it all, really. A land of over a billion people and just 17 measly medals.

Maybe our athletes don't do enough dope. The anti-doping squad will be the most overworked team this Olympics if reports are to be believed. Or they are not smart enough. Our lifters get caught even before the damn thing has made it into their kidneys.

Maybe our parents are to blame for not encouraging us to play more or play at all. "Don't waste your time" being a much heard refrain. Wonder if it still continues? I have heard of parents pushing their wards to becoming the next Sachin or Sania. That's the trick though.

If a sport promises riches, parents are quick to spot that and push their kids to becoming the next superstar in that sport. Caring little for the interests of the kids involved.

Nothing of the sort can be expected to happen where Olympic sports are concerned. Those poor souls are running around with begging bowls half the time to be able to compete. All the boards controlling the various games are controlled by extinct relics from the past who have money making as their sole goal. Recently one was kicked out after much trying and suddenly the results improved. Not enough to make it to the Olympics though.

I hope India will one day become a nation that can compete at the Olympics and not just make up the numbers. Like they say in hindi - 'Ummeed pe duniya kaayam hai'.