There is a valid theory that the state of the nation depends on the state of its sports. The argument being sportspeople are healthier, the nation that does better at sports has more people who have better healthcare facilities, educational facilities and nutritional levels . If that is the case, we have a lot to worry about. As a sport we know one game – Cricket, a national sport – hockey is by all means a national sport only on paper.

 This Olympics has been by far the best display by any Indian contingent so far. We have one gold medal in the bag, Saina lost in QFs and three boxers in QFs with possibility of more medals. That is more than what we would have expected before the Olympics started. What is heartening is that while the medal was won in shooting, we seem to have quite well in badminton and boxing. This will spur children to pick up these varied sports. Bindra’s victory has proved that winning gold at Olympics is not impossible for an Indian. Skeptics can always say that it took a long time coming and the euphoria at the victory is ‘shaming’, my reply is it is always easier to speak or write than compete and win a medal at Olympics. Hopefully, we will be dong better and better in future and winning more medals as well.

Finally, a salute to Michael Phelps, who has emerged as the greatest sportsperson of all times. He individually has won more medals than most nations have won so far.

BC