Jinxed Olympics 2024 for Promising Indian Athletes, while UAE Returns Empty-Handed
From near-wins to baffling disqualifications, India hasn’t really built on the momentum garnered since Tokyo in 2021, while an ambitious UAE sets their sights on a medal.
So near, yet so far: that seems to be the mantra that is plaguing some world-class athletes from India at the ongoing Olympics in Paris. Yes, shooters Manu Bhaker, Sarobjot Singh and Swapnil Kusale claimed three bronze medals between them and the Indian Men's Hockey Team along with wrestler Aman Sehrawat ensnared a well-deserved Third Place as well. This, while defending champion javelin-thrower Neeraj Chopra managed a Silver this time. However, about half a dozen other Indian sportspersons came within a whisker of taking a place on the podium of glory.
These included male badminton sensation Lakshya Sen; tenacious female boxer Lovlina Borgohain; gritty lady weight-lifter Mirabai Chanu; and the quick, but not quick enough, Jyothi Yarajji and the 4x400 Metre Men's Relay Team who came in fourth in the 100 Metre Hurdles. It was especially disappointing for Sen given that he lost to Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia, whom he had gotten the better off in 4 of their 5 previous encounters (including at the All England Championships earlier this year). What’s more, Sen was leading in the Bronze Medal bout - 1 game to nil and 8 points to 4 - before losing momentum and the match. And what about the Indian Men's Hockey Team missing an equlising goal in the last seconds of their semi-final match against Germany!
But one of two biggest disappointments for India so far has been the bizarre disqualification of Indian lady wrestler Vinesh Phogat who was all set for a gold medal encounter. And this is not even a case of Performance Enhancing Drugs (PED), which is usually the cause of ousters for unfair practices. The 50-kg category grappler had pulled off a triple giant-killing act by taking out defending Olympic champion Yui Susaki; former European champ Oksana Livach (from Ukraine); and Pan American Games title-holder Yusneylis Guzman (from Cuba). But sadly, it was all for nothing, after India’s celebrated finalist was abruptly shunted out of the event for weighing in at a mere 100 grams over the allowed measurement. However, in a baffling turn of events, the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) accepted the distraught woman's appeal for a joint silver medal only to rule against her in the end!
Apart from this frustration, there was outright embarrassment in store for India. Another lady wrestler was reprimanded for the transgression of passing on her accreditation card to her sister - to gain illegal entry into the Olympic Village. The errant sportswoman - Antim Panghal - has issued an apology and a clarification, stating that she was unaware of breaking the rules. But little good that has done Miss Panghal as she and her team are to be deported soon.
For the disgraced matwoman, who had comprehensively lost her Round of 16 Match to Turkey’s Zeynep Yetgil earlier in the day, it truly is the “Antim” (end) for her. All in all, it has been a dismal showing for the 117-strong Indian contingent, participating in 69 medal events, across 16 sports. However, the overall performance by India is gradually improving at the 4-yearly global extravaganza. We just need more of a “sporting” attitude to grip the country and make Bharat worthy of its 2036 Olympics-hosting bid.
Meanwhile, one of the smallest competing countries in the Olympics – both in terms of geographic size and athletes’ contingent – the UAE, strived in vain for a medal of its own There were a total of 13 competitors from the Gulf country taking part in five sports: track-and-field, cycling, equestrian, judo and swimming. The Emirati contingent-member with the best chances was believed to be woman biker Safia Al Sayegh. Still, it is a proud accomplishment just being draped in their nation’s colours and you don't necessarily have to win something “metallic” to show for your... mettle.
