OLYMPICS—THE GAME OF 5 RINGS
Four years is a long time in this world. It takes four years for the world’s largest economy to return to the election cycle; it takes four years for a team to challenge the title of ODI world champions; it takes four years for an athlete to return to his quest of winning glory for himself and his country in the pinnacle of it all — the Olympic Games.
It is the roaring dream of all sportspersons to win a podium finish at the Olympics, represented by the five rings. Representative of the participating continents, the Olympic Games have been the ultimate dream for players of all sports. The Olympics are certainly the coliseum of sports and nothing can represent these games better than the five rings. Established in 1896 in Athens in Greece, these sports form the crème de la crème of sports.
The Olympics form the culmination of four years of blood, sweat and toil for all athletes. Aiming for the golden glory, each player puts in hard work in training for countless hours. Appearing at the Olympics validates a sportsperson as the best in the country and winning establishes them as being among the best of the world.
The athletes from India have certainly scaled and conquered vertiginous mountains to attain glory and the country’s performance has displayed a great uptick in recent years. Medal finishes have become a norm for the country. However, it is also true that the present state of sports in the country still has a long way to go and the sports authorities should take the responsibility to lead India to the top of the medal tally at the Olympics.
The rings, the torch and the grand opening ceremony of the Olympics is special for every participant and viewer. In a nation, which is largely dominated by cricket fans, an occasional break from the sport signals a positive shift for other athletes. India should take lessons from countries such as the US and China, which perennially finish at the top of the medal tally.
To improve the medal tally, athletes should be trained at the grassroots level through programmes for youngsters and school students. An ecosystem focusing on identifying talents and providing useful and state-of-the-art training needs to be developed to boost the growth of sports in the country.
As India raises its bid to be the host for the 2036 Olympic Games, such measures are essential. The country must also aim to boost the medal tally achieved at home. After all, when one side can win 10 matches on the trot at home, why can’t the athletes at Olympics follow suite?
— Writer is a student of Class IX, St John’s High School, Chandigarh
