Olympics- why be disappointed ?

[bips]

I was just seeing a news report . The report went on and on about how a billion ppl in this country and so few medals. It went ahead and tore apart the current athletes of the olympic contingent for their 'irresponsible' show at the games till now .. it said how these sportsperson had led the country down..

But why complain ? We as a society don't give importance to any sport except cricket .. ask a layman to name a sportsperson outside cricket and all you'll probably come up with is sania mirza/ leander peas/ baichung bhutia .. how many of us can even name the current lot of ppl at the games.

When we have ignored them for years, why care about how they perform now ? Why just rue the dismal state of sports in the country once every 4 years for a week.

[Monamanage]

I feel little disheartened but untill India does not think about sports beyond cricket we cannot go very far......

[kartik]

We just won a gold medal . The news is all over TV.

[bips]

Originally Posted by kartik

We just won a gold medal . The news is all over TV.

I know... Its fantastic ... woo-hoo!!!! .... seriously, i think its more of a personal achievement rather than that of a nation ... but i can't help feel so so happy

[kartik]

Originally Posted by bips

I know... Its fantastic ... woo-hoo!!!! .... seriously, i think its more of a personal achievement rather than that of a nation ... but i can't help feel so so happy

a gold medal after gazillion years.. the last we won was in 1980's . Make me a proud Indian

[deepakraam]

I accept the fact that we don't give the proper infrastructure/funding to train athletes to the international level.Olympics is a game where only the best of the best wins.But I'm a little surprised when ppl coming from Africa are winning in the running/marathon races.Are countries like Kenya or Uganda spending in Billions for training their sportsman?How are they winning the events?They are constantly bagging either a Gold or Silver in Olympics.We can't outrightly deny the critics citing the infra/financial bootlenecks.Even in Tennis,in recent times Serbains(Ivanovic,Djokovic) are trying to occupy the topspot.

So it has something to do with ppl or with training?I'm still thinking about this.

-Deepak.

[kartik]

Originally Posted by deepakraam

I accept the fact that we don't give the proper infrastructure/funding to train athletes to the international level.Olympics is a game where only the best of the best wins.But I'm a little surprised when ppl coming from Africa are winning in the running/marathon races.Are countries like Kenya or Uganda spending in Billions for training their sportsman?How are they winning the events?They are constantly bagging either a Gold or Silver in Olympics.We can't outrightly deny the critics citing the infra/financial bootlenecks.Even in Tennis,in recent times Serbains(Ivanovic,Djokovic) are trying to occupy the topspot.

So it has something to do with ppl or with training?I'm still thinking about this.

-Deepak.

In simple terms, Olympics is not hyped in India, no1 really cares, you feel good once in a while if your country wins, but its not like cricket.

Its all about the media hype, in marketing terms branding. Olympics isnt a brand in India. Football will overtake cricket soon though

[bips]

Originally Posted by kartik

In simple terms, Olympics is not hyped in India, no1 really cares, you feel good once in a while if your country wins, but its not like cricket.

Its all about the media hype, in marketing terms branding. Olympics isnt a brand in India. Football will overtake cricket soon though

Is that wishful thinking ... bec the way things are going including 20-20, i have a hard time believing that anything is going to overtake cricket for the next couple of decades.

[kartik]

Originally Posted by bips

Is that wishful thinking ... bec the way things are going including 20-20, i have a hard time believing that anything is going to overtake cricket for the next couple of decades.

All we need is an Indian Pelé and Tendulkar to retire and the ball will roll

Again bringing marketing into it.

Football like F1 races, is aspirational while cricket is something everyone follows. Just like cricket was aspirational and hockey was what everyone knew way back in the 80's.

The transition is always from normal to aspirational until the aspirational becomes normal

What say

[juned401]

in india media is only focus on cricket only..and our youth is also...intrested in this game only..from school level govt hv to intrduced such sports...for improving...the our possiton...

but over alll one very good news we won the gold medal...thanks....bindra....

now media hv to focus on other game also after overing olyampics...and they have to show more programe other then cricket...plz...