Indian track and field athletes have it tough at top level tournaments because they concentrate too much on training and fails to actually turn up for international meets, feels Olympian and Athletics Federation of India senior vice-president Anju Bobby George.
Anju, who won the long jump bronze at the 2003 World Athletics Championships in Paris before finishing fifth at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, said training cannot compensate for the experience one gains by actually taking part in events.
“There is a lot of support from the sports ministry, from the Sports Authority of India and the Athletics Federation of India now for travel and participation in international meets. But most of our athletes are not interested in competing at top level meets,” said Anju, who will be part of the Sony Sports Olympic special show ‘Sports Extraaa’, during a virtual interaction on Thursday.
“It is easy for them to go to Grand Prix tournaments now, but they are more interested in training. They are missing out on that crucial competition exposure. And that’s why they are not unable to give their best performance when it is most needed.”
She explained: “If you look at more successful countries you will see they are always into competition. After training they take part in various tournaments and gain experience. That is the most important thing that we are missing.
“Our athletes have to learn that part. When you are preparing for something as big as the Olympics you must compete in as many meets as you can.
“It is a tough reality that most of our athletes can’t even reproduce their own best performances at the Olympics.”
Anju did not sound too hopeful of a track-and-field medal in Tokyo. “It will be very tough. Neeraj (Chopra, men’s javelin throw) should do well, but I am not really saying he will finish first, second or third. For Dutee (Chand, women’s 100m and 200m), the going will be tough since the competition in sprints is of a very high level,” she said. She was also not too upbeat about the chances of the mixed relay team.
- The Olympics are telecast live on Sony Six, Sony Ten 2 & 3
