A LIFETIME OF TRAINING FOR JUST TEN SECONDS

 



“A lifetime of training for just ten seconds!”

Jesse Owens

 

Every Olympics medal – whether Gold, Silver or Bronze – matters to us, a lot. We are a country of close to 140-crore people; the second highest population in the world. So, if we come back empty-handed from the Olympics game, it shows us in poor light. As I said, even one or two medals – whether Gold, Silver or Bronze – can give us the relief, that we haven’t come back with a ‘duck’…

This explains why the whole nation becomes ecstatic and celebrates with pride, when this simple woman from Manipur – Mirabai Chanu - brings us a Silver medal in weightlifting,  

Frankly, I find it silly!

Yes, while Mirabai did it, beating all odds, why are we celebrating her victory as our own?

There is a lot to take away from every poor Olympics-tally of our country. Is our State doing enough? No. Are we, individually or collectively, doing enough? No.

Whatever little we get from the Olympics village, it is brought to us by participants from remote places, who go through a tough life. It is sad to see how lopsided our privilege-system is… The affluent, whose children are given the best infrastructure, training and nutrition in our big cities, lack the fire in their bellies… Focus, discipline, commitment, hard-work, passion, determination – the hunger for success – everything seems weak with this privileged section. On the other hand, the underdog – a Mary Kom, a Mirabai  or  a Milka Singh - yes, it’s they who show us how to win medals… how to be the champs!

We are not doing enough, Sir; we are not giving enough. When I say ‘We’, I mean you, I and our State.






“A lifetime of training for just ten seconds!” Did Jesse Owens say this? Hello, let’s not forget, that it was this American Black-athlete – four-time Olympics Gold-medalist - who singlehandedly crushed Hitler’s myth of Aryan supremacy in 1936 Olympics… And, guess what, he was not even invited to the White House to shake hands with his own  President!

A great reason to celebrate?

 

GERALD D’CUNHA

 

Pic’s: pixabay

 

Videos:  Spor Dellsi HD



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