Olympics: Politics of Claiming Credit for Medals
An Indian athlete’s javelin throw has won a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics. Neeraj Chopra, the proud son of a farmer, created history with this gold medal, the first in Tokyo Olympics and the second for India in the history of Olympics itself. This momentous win that needs to be celebrated is a joyous as well as a sad occasion. It is at the same time embarrassing that a country such as India boasting enormous human resources could garner only two gold medals when several poor countries in the world have bagged gold medals by the dozens and are celebrating. It is also true that the talented Indian youth are winning these medals for the country by overcoming all obstacles that the politicization of sports has created for them. While Ravi Kumar Dahiya and Mirabai Chanu won silver medals in wrestling and weightlifting respectively, P.V. Sindhu in badminton, Lovlina Borgohain in women’s boxing, and Bajarang Punia in wrestling were the bronze medal winners besides the Indian men’s hockey team that created history. The performance of the women’s hockey team won the hearts of Indians even in their defeat. The achievement of the athletes assumes even more significance in the light of the neglect that Indian athletics faces by both the administration and the people alike. These athletes who faced all odds and emerged successful are similar to the flowers blooming in fire.
The developments that followed the victory of these athletes is true to the popular saying: ‘Success has many fathers, while failure is an orphan.’ Politicians are trying to gain mileage out of the success of these medal winning athletes. At the same time, their achievements are also being projected as that of the government. While on the one hand, the Prime Minister is playing political dramatics on the pretext of congratulating the athletes, on the other hand, fake screenshots are being shared as though the Prime Minister himself participated in the Olympics and won medals! Fake news is being peddled to make it sound that Prime Minister Modi is responsible for the achievements of the athletes. While congratulating the hockey team, Modi issued several unnecessary political statements and used the occasion to hurl allegations against the Opposition. This is nothing but an insult to sporting ethics. Sports is beyond caste, religion, and politics. Politicians, who refuse to understand this, try to intervene and project the achievements of sportsmen as their own.
Instead of trying to share the glory of sportspersons, the least those who govern us can do is to introspect on what exactly is their contribution towards this success.. If the Modi government had announced programmes, grants, or special gifts to encourage athletics as these young men and women were toiling to make it to the Olympics, at least then the government’s attempt to politicize their achievement could have made some sense. Forget providing additional grants, the government even reduced sports budget by Rs 230 crore. It also cut by Rs 232 crore the grants under ‘Khelo India.’ Also, it cut by 50 per cent the grants given for the national sports development. It also reduced grants to modernize the Commonwealth Games Stadium from Rs 75 crore to Rs 30 crore. Ironically, at the same time, it spent a lot of money for the development of the world’s largest cricket stadium in Gujarat and the credit for giving the stadium his own name should go to Prime Minister Modi. He is now facing a lot of criticism for trying to project in the media as though he participated in the Olympics and won medals.
It is disappointing if an analysis is made about how the javelin section that got India its gold was encouraged by the system. Coach Uwe Hohn had expressing his outrage about the lack of encouragement in June last year. He had issued a public statement that ‘the country’s sports associations have completely failed to adequately prepare the athletes who are participating in the Olympics. It has not been possible to provide the required nutrition for its athletes.’ He said: ‘I am not sure if the sports associations are negligent about this or if they are not even aware about these aspects. When I came here to take on this assignment, I was confident that I would be able to bring about some change. But now I don’t think it’s possible,’. When Hohn issued this statement, nobody could have predicted that our athlete Chopra would bag the gold medal. After winning the medal, he has been flooded with gifts galore. While several states announced cash awards, several organizations have come forward to indulge him with gifts perhaps to gain publicity. It is heartening to see this but more than the encouragement an athlete receives after winning, he needs to be encouraged in his journey towards victory. While the government gifts Rs 1 crore to those who have won a gold medal, the same government is not willing to spend the same amount to prepare these athletes to win.
This is similar to the mindset of a farmer who adds manure to coconut trees if the trees give good yield whereas the trees need good manure, water, and nourishment from the beginning to be able to give good yield. India is a country of a rough terrain with hills and rocks. It is a country of hardworking people who struggle and toil hard. In such a country, it is easy to create athletes. But this process should start from the ground level by identifying suitable persons and cleansing the sports sector of politics. It is not possible to expect good yields tomorrow by sowing seeds today. Long-term programmes should be designed. Athletes are born in poor families where children struggle because of malnutrition. If children grow without nutritious food, how can they achieve anything in the future? Talented athletes should be identified in childhood itself and nurtured from young age. Only then can politicians stake claim in their achievements.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
