Why the Paris Olympics should be regarded as the watershed moment for Indian Sports

As the Paris Olympics draw to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on yet another chapter in India's journey on the global sporting stage. The grandeur of the event, held every four years, showcased the world's top athletes pushing their limits to bring glory to their nations. For Indians, this Olympic edition felt more personal, with an unprecedented wave of emotional support and national pride surging across the country. Yet, despite the fervour, we concluded our campaign with just five medals, although Aditi Ashok and her gold campaign are still on as I write this article. And yet this outcome begs the question: why does a country with a population of 142 crores struggle to produce world-class athletes consistently? To understand this, we must delve into several critical areas.

The Dismal State of Our Sporting Culture

India's sporting culture leaves much to be desired. In many schools across the country, sports are treated as a secondary activity, if not an afterthought. Physical education teachers often find themselves being treated as 2nd class citizens, with their classes sometimes co-opted by other teachers to complete academic syllabi. This disregard for physical education is symptomatic of a broader societal attitude that fails to recognise the importance of sports in holistic development. As a result, we place undue pressure on a few individuals, like Neeraj Chopra, to secure medals and validate our national pride. The lack of a robust, grassroots sports culture means that we have a limited pool of athletes to draw from, leaving us reliant on a handful of stars rather than a diverse array of talent.

Cricket’s Overbearing Influence

Cricket's dominance in India is undeniable. Our cricketers are revered as demigods, while athletes from other sports struggle for recognition and resources. This imbalance in attention and investment has stunted the growth of other sports, making it difficult for non-cricketing athletes to reach their full potential. If we are serious about improving our Olympic performance, we must distribute our focus and resources more equitably across all sports. Only then can we hope to nurture a broad base of talent capable of competing at the highest levels.

Reactionary Support: A Flawed System

Indian sports fans are notoriously fickle, often lavishing attention only on those athletes who have already achieved success. Take Neeraj Chopra, for example. Before his historic gold medal in the previous Olympics, few in India knew or cared about the javelin throw. It was only after his victory that he received the recognition he deserved. While in China, athletes are all given equal attention and grooming since their early stages and that's the reason for their domination. Unfortunately, this pattern of reactionary support leaves many aspiring athletes in the shadows, struggling to make ends meet while pursuing their dreams. The system's failure to provide consistent support and encouragement to all athletes, regardless of their current fame, stifles the growth of potential champions.

Government Support: A Double-Edged Sword

In recent years, the Indian government has increased its support for sports, with notable figures like PT Usha taking on leadership roles. However, this support is often undermined by bureaucratic inefficiencies and corruption. The Commonwealth Games fiasco is a stark reminder of how mismanagement can derail our sporting aspirations. While the current leadership shows promise, the presence of self-serving officials who prioritise personal gain over the athletes' welfare continues to hinder progress. For India to succeed on the global stage, we need a transparent and accountable system that prioritises the needs of athletes.

Fitness and Nutritional Awareness: A Growing Concern

India's awareness of fitness and nutrition has improved in recent years, but we still have a long way to go. While the younger generation is increasingly embracing healthier lifestyles, the country remains plagued by misconceptions and unhealthy habits. For instance, many Indians still view well-researched supplements like whey protein with suspicion, while indulging in unhealthy foods and habits that are detrimental to athletic performance. We have individuals who drink alcohol thrice a week state how unhealthy whey protein is, and that's where our lack of knowledge comes into the picture. To produce world-class athletes, we must foster a culture that values fitness and nutrition from a young age. This includes educating the public about the importance of balanced diets and regular exercise.

Generational Hangover: A Cultural Challenge

The current generation of Indians is more confident and ambitious than ever before, but they are still held back by the attitudes of previous generations. For many older Indians, sports and fitness are seen as extracurricular activities rather than essential components of a well-rounded life. This mindset, which prioritises traditional career paths like doctor and engineering over athletic pursuits, is deeply ingrained in our society. To break free from this cultural hangover, we must encourage young people to pursue their passions, whether in sports or any other field and provide them with the support they need to succeed.

A Watershed Moment: The Path Forward

This Olympic campaign could have yielded 10-12 medals, but we fell short. However, if we address the issues outlined above and commit to fostering a culture that truly values sports, the next Olympics could see a much stronger Indian contingent. We must learn to love sports, integrate fitness into our daily lives, and recognise the importance of supporting our athletes at every stage of their journey. Only then can we hope to emerge as a sporting powerhouse on the world stage.