Former Indian Olympians have urged a significant shift in the country’s approach to training athletes for the Olympic Games. A panel discussion titled “In search of glory: India’s prospects in the 2024 Olympics” was held by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata, where these concerns were raised.
Focus on Year-Round Training, Not Pre-Games Rush
Panellists, including hockey legend Gurbux Singh, gymnast Dipa Karmakar, and heptathlete Soma Biswas, stressed the need to move away from a system that crams training efforts into the months leading up to the Olympics.
“We wake up when the Olympics come,” said Singh, a member of India’s gold-medal-winning hockey team at the 1964 Games. “The whole country wakes up. That attitude must change.”
Singh pointed out that societal pressures often push young people away from pursuing sports as a career. He emphasized the importance of fostering a strong sports culture in India, with proper infrastructure and facilities readily available in schools and educational institutions.
Building a Winning Mentality
Gymnast Dipa Karmakar, who narrowly missed a bronze medal in the vault event at the 2016 Rio Olympics, spoke about the importance of perseverance and mental strength. She encouraged aspiring athletes to overcome challenges and fight for their dreams.
Karmakar also highlighted the need for a system that supports athletes throughout their journeys. Recalling the immense support she received after the Rio Games, she expressed hope for a “double-digit medal tally” for India in athletics at the upcoming Olympics. However, she reiterated that achieving this goal requires consistent training and support throughout the entire training cycle.
Challenges and Areas for Improvement
Dipa Karmakar’s coach, Dronacharya awardee Bisweswar Nandi, highlighted the limited reach of gymnastics in India. “Only in five-six states in India is gymnastics practiced as a sport,” he said. Expanding access and opportunities in a wider range of states is crucial to unearth and nurture future talent.
Nandi also stressed the need for better financial support for budding athletes, particularly those coming from underprivileged backgrounds.
Commonwealth Chess Champion Pravin Thipsay pointed to India’s existing strength in chess, referencing the success of legendary player Viswanathan Anand as an inspiration for younger generations. Thipsay discussed the possibility of chess being included in future Olympic Games, acknowledging that the decision ultimately rests with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Continuous Learning and Adapting to Setbacks
Rounding out the discussion, archer Rahul Banerjee offered valuable advice for athletes: learn from setbacks. “If you win in your first tournament you celebrate and if you lose the next tourney you are branded as a failure,” he said. Emphasizing the importance of resilience, Banerjee encouraged athletes to view challenges as opportunities for growth and improvement.
The call from these former Olympians is clear: a significant shift in focus is needed to create a sustainable and successful training system for India’s future Olympic hopefuls. With a commitment to year-round training, improved infrastructure, and strong mental conditioning, India can move towards achieving consistent success on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
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