Olympics and why does India have only one medal

Bryan · Aug 25th, 2004, 08:15

Hi

India has a billion citizens
1 sixth of the world population

Add in pakistan with 100 million i think
Add Bangla with another 100 million
and Nepal and Sri Lanka

So lets say 1 billion 240 million people

And one silver medal...??!!!??

What's going on in indian sport?

Bryan

timmy · Aug 25th, 2004, 09:29

Some countries have higher prorities than pouring money into training elite athletes.

e101g · Aug 25th, 2004, 10:29

Ssshhh.. Don't disturb..
India is busy writing software and answering your toll-free calls.

Did you ask the IOC why Cricket is not included in the olympics yet ?
Especially when they have 1000 different gymnastics and swimming competitions ? Seems like there are enough medals for every gymnast
to take one home..

getgopi1 · Aug 25th, 2004, 10:56

The Indian govt. does invest money in training its athletes. It then rewards them if they bring home a medal. But the govt. clearly feels that this is all it needs to do to assist its athletes. And it is correct! Personally, I will want the govt. concentrating on other pressing matters of state. So the problem and expectations then lie with the athletes and their coaches...especially the coaches. I have this strong feeling that our coaches need to know how to instill confidence in our athletes. To do that, of course, the coaches must take their athletes training personally and not as an obligation.

Indian athletes usually seem to travel to countries like Belarus and Ukraine to "polish up on" their training. Staying a long time away from family and friends can be emotionally tiring, which in turn will affect physical performance. Skill and ambition are there but those are not properly harvested. Ultimately, our athletes end up making half-hearted attempts where it matters the most...the Olympics. Can you imagine a Phelps (multiple gold medal winning swimmer from the US) screaming in joy and the devastating psychological effect it can have on the emotionally unprepared athlete? I am pretty sure that our guys are not completely emotionally prepared. This is the most important reason why India always trails behind at most International sporting events.

It is also obvious that some athletes feel that their task is over once they win a medal. As a result, they seem to make an obligatory appearance at subsequent Olympics. Case in point...weight lifter Malleeswari. Indian women lose their edge (and edges

) drastically once they get married. This is a fact. When I visit India (and even here at any temple in the US), I see "evidence" of that all around me. Call me a stereotype if you want.

Until private interests (such as non-govt. sponsors) take a serious interest in sponsoring and overseeing athletic training (and coaching), I am afraid that the situation will continue to be as it is

volga_volga · Aug 25th, 2004, 14:09

i feel the reasons are deeper than simply under-investment by gov't... look adidas Nike Reebok are THERE already and are actively looking for investment opportunities in new markets and would have been prepared to invest (in something other than cricket) if they knew they would get something in return... but if the participation levels in sports are so devastatingly low in India what's the point in private investment?

even in the US the percentage of people regularly practising sports/fitness is only 12% (the data is a few years old) - in India i believe it is below 1%, EXCLUDING cricket...

so, IMHO the reasons are more cultural than economic, and i think getgopi1 is getting close! thanks for an interesting insight.

Bryan · Aug 25th, 2004, 16:26

As for why Cricket is not an olympic sport
If i remember right there is a certain threshold of countries worldwide who need to play the sport

As cricket is not so popular perhaps this is why

But if synchronised swimming is now in it...WHY?
why don't we all start kabbadi clubs in our respective countries and campaign to have it included as an olympic sport ...How cool would that be!!!

Bryan

volga_volga · Aug 25th, 2004, 16:38

extract from the Olympic Charter

Quote:

1.1.1 only sports widely practised by men in at least seventy-five countries and on four continents, and by women in at least forty countries and on three continents, may be included inthe programme of the Games of the Olympiad;

1.1.2 only sports widely practised in at least twenty-five countriesand on three continents may be included in the programmeof the Olympic Winter Games

now someone tell me why there is no Women's Cricket??

manojb · Aug 25th, 2004, 22:41

There is Women's Cricket.

http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/WOMEN/

malvin · Aug 25th, 2004, 23:57

the 17yrs old amir khan (57-60kg),the lone british boxer in athens is of pakistani parentage,has already reached semifinals,hence is assured of atleast a medal.if he goes on to win the gold medal,he will be the youngest since floyd peterson won an olympic boxing gold.
many in pakistan will claim him to be just one of them and the job is done.i`m sorry that is the way the thinking goes on the sub-continent!
malvin

lobo · Aug 26th, 2004, 00:14

I like to watch the olympics (especially the womens beach volleyball) but I dont really care how many medals great britain brings home.
In the great scheme of things its a very minor concern of mine, I feel no competition with other countries in teh olympics. Last first somewhere in between (shrugs shoulders).
That khan does look a very good boxer, I like to see talent and he has it .
International football though I DO care passionatlly about

e101g · Aug 26th, 2004, 01:48

Volga,

Widely practiced ? Who defines this ?
Is synchronized swimming widely practiced in 25 countries ?

lobo · Aug 26th, 2004, 02:05

lol or beach volleyball......

volga_volga · Aug 26th, 2004, 02:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by e101g

Volga,

Widely practiced ? Who defines this ?
Is synchronized swimming widely practiced in 25 countries ?

hey, what's wrong with synchronised swimming? i also like swim synchronously from time to time...

ditto beach voleyball... you can't argue lobo this one IS widely practised! even in my company we have a beach voleyball grounds (but no beach) and two weeks ago in the Finance dept annual championship Corporate Controlling took the gold for the first time in the long history of domination by Corporate Communications

guys i'll tell you a big secret: i do NOT work for the Olympic Commitee... i know almost as much as you do...

shere · Aug 26th, 2004, 02:16

Probably down to a lack of talent and stupidity of the governing bodies of the various sports in India.

Look at boxing, India has a superb boxer called Mohammad Ali Qamar Qaymar. He is not at the Olympics due to his controversial exit at a qualifying tournament. Then there is the matter of coaching. It would not have been too hard for the Indians to have sent their best boxers to Cuba for a few years solid training. Instead they import some rubbish former eastern bloc coach who does not have the pedigree. But then as the old saying go "If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys".

Same with all the other events. The coaches imported by India are third rate and would struggle to get a PE job in a secondary school let alone train athletes for major events.

Then there is Hockey. India used to dominate the world but now Dhanraj Pillay tries to dominate the team. The man is too old does not have the legs and should retire. Some say the decline of the India hckey team is linked to the introduction of new rules which are more favourable to European nations whos players lack the skill and flair of Indians and Pakistanis.

volga_volga · Aug 26th, 2004, 02:29

interesting quote from googling:

Quote:

In India, sports is viewed as a hobby rather than a career. The biggest problem is lack of interest apart from poor infrastructure, expert training without scientific backup. Majority of the parents are reluctant to send their children into full time sports beyond a level because they believe that there is no future career option, financial support, social security and recognition and also it is not looked as a respectable profession barring few sports like cricket, golf and the lifestyle sports etc. Therefore there is no sustainable achievement of Indian sports person at international level.

source: FICCI

added: "Discipline, Competitive spirit, Leadership qualities, Team spirit" necessary for winning in sports - have we discussed already cultural aspects of working with indian colleagues? does it ring a bell? leadership qualities and discipline? competitive spirit seems to be there but as clashing with team spirit

Aug 25th, 2004, 08:15	#1
Bryan Mega Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Scotland Posts: 638	Olympics and why does India have only one medal Hi India has a billion citizens 1 sixth of the world population Add in pakistan with 100 million i think Add Bangla with another 100 million and Nepal and Sri Lanka So lets say 1 billion 240 million people And one silver medal...??!!!?? What's going on in indian sport? Bryan __________________ Then let us pray that come it may (As come it will for a' that), That Sense and Worth o'er a' the earth, Shall bear the gree an a' that. For a' that, an a' that, It's coming yet for a' that, That man to man, the world, o'er Shall brithers be for a' that. - Burns

Aug 25th, 2004, 10:56	#4
getgopi1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 105	The Indian govt. does invest money in training its athletes. It then rewards them if they bring home a medal. But the govt. clearly feels that this is all it needs to do to assist its athletes. And it is correct! Personally, I will want the govt. concentrating on other pressing matters of state. So the problem and expectations then lie with the athletes and their coaches...especially the coaches. I have this strong feeling that our coaches need to know how to instill confidence in our athletes. To do that, of course, the coaches must take their athletes training personally and not as an obligation. Indian athletes usually seem to travel to countries like Belarus and Ukraine to "polish up on" their training. Staying a long time away from family and friends can be emotionally tiring, which in turn will affect physical performance. Skill and ambition are there but those are not properly harvested. Ultimately, our athletes end up making half-hearted attempts where it matters the most...the Olympics. Can you imagine a Phelps (multiple gold medal winning swimmer from the US) screaming in joy and the devastating psychological effect it can have on the emotionally unprepared athlete? I am pretty sure that our guys are not completely emotionally prepared. This is the most important reason why India always trails behind at most International sporting events. It is also obvious that some athletes feel that their task is over once they win a medal. As a result, they seem to make an obligatory appearance at subsequent Olympics. Case in point...weight lifter Malleeswari. Indian women lose their edge (and edges ) drastically once they get married. This is a fact. When I visit India (and even here at any temple in the US), I see "evidence" of that all around me. Call me a stereotype if you want. Until private interests (such as non-govt. sponsors) take a serious interest in sponsoring and overseeing athletic training (and coaching), I am afraid that the situation will continue to be as it is __________________ - Gopi

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Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
The long awaited Olympics 2004 thread!	volga_volga	Sports in India	17	Aug 21st, 2004 22:27

Aug 25th, 2004, 09:29	#2
timmy Back in Australia Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 375	Some countries have higher prorities than pouring money into training elite athletes.

Aug 25th, 2004, 10:29	#3
e101g Just a dude.. Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: USofA Posts: 57	Ssshhh.. Don't disturb.. India is busy writing software and answering your toll-free calls. Did you ask the IOC why Cricket is not included in the olympics yet ? Especially when they have 1000 different gymnastics and swimming competitions ? Seems like there are enough medals for every gymnast to take one home..

Aug 25th, 2004, 14:09	#5
volga_volga Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,459	i feel the reasons are deeper than simply under-investment by gov't... look adidas Nike Reebok are THERE already and are actively looking for investment opportunities in new markets and would have been prepared to invest (in something other than cricket) if they knew they would get something in return... but if the participation levels in sports are so devastatingly low in India what's the point in private investment? even in the US the percentage of people regularly practising sports/fitness is only 12% (the data is a few years old) - in India i believe it is below 1%, EXCLUDING cricket... so, IMHO the reasons are more cultural than economic, and i think getgopi1 is getting close! thanks for an interesting insight.

Aug 25th, 2004, 16:26	#6
Bryan Mega Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Scotland Posts: 638	As for why Cricket is not an olympic sport If i remember right there is a certain threshold of countries worldwide who need to play the sport As cricket is not so popular perhaps this is why But if synchronised swimming is now in it...WHY? why don't we all start kabbadi clubs in our respective countries and campaign to have it included as an olympic sport ...How cool would that be!!! Bryan

Aug 25th, 2004, 22:41	#8
manojb Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 426	There is Women's Cricket. http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/WOMEN/

Aug 25th, 2004, 23:57	#9
malvin Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: hallein(austria)/chandigarh(punjab) Posts: 171	the 17yrs old amir khan (57-60kg),the lone british boxer in athens is of pakistani parentage,has already reached semifinals,hence is assured of atleast a medal.if he goes on to win the gold medal,he will be the youngest since floyd peterson won an olympic boxing gold. many in pakistan will claim him to be just one of them and the job is done.i`m sorry that is the way the thinking goes on the sub-continent! malvin

Aug 26th, 2004, 00:14	#10
lobo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: london Posts: 431	I like to watch the olympics (especially the womens beach volleyball) but I dont really care how many medals great britain brings home. In the great scheme of things its a very minor concern of mine, I feel no competition with other countries in teh olympics. Last first somewhere in between (shrugs shoulders). That khan does look a very good boxer, I like to see talent and he has it . International football though I DO care passionatlly about

Aug 26th, 2004, 01:48	#11
e101g Just a dude.. Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: USofA Posts: 57	Volga, Widely practiced ? Who defines this ? Is synchronized swimming widely practiced in 25 countries ?

Aug 26th, 2004, 02:05	#12
lobo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: london Posts: 431	lol or beach volleyball......

Aug 26th, 2004, 02:16	#14
shere Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: England Posts: 1,110	Probably down to a lack of talent and stupidity of the governing bodies of the various sports in India. Look at boxing, India has a superb boxer called Mohammad Ali Qamar Qaymar. He is not at the Olympics due to his controversial exit at a qualifying tournament. Then there is the matter of coaching. It would not have been too hard for the Indians to have sent their best boxers to Cuba for a few years solid training. Instead they import some rubbish former eastern bloc coach who does not have the pedigree. But then as the old saying go "If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys". Same with all the other events. The coaches imported by India are third rate and would struggle to get a PE job in a secondary school let alone train athletes for major events. Then there is Hockey. India used to dominate the world but now Dhanraj Pillay tries to dominate the team. The man is too old does not have the legs and should retire. Some say the decline of the India hckey team is linked to the introduction of new rules which are more favourable to European nations whos players lack the skill and flair of Indians and Pakistanis.

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