June 22 is marked as the Olympic day
and 30 days remain for the start of the delayed Tokyo Olympics. It is for the
first time, the Olympics are happening in a odd year and under much
uncertainty. There has been opposition within Japan to hosting the Olympics
given the circumstances. Japan has just lifted the state of Emergency imposed
in the wake of the spike in the cases of Chinese virus. The torch relay has to
face multiple barriers. A number of volunteers have withdrawn from the contest.
There have been different rules framed for different athletes from different
countries. There has been opposition in India over the ill-treatment being
meted to Indian athletes in terms of severity in quarantine imposition and
interaction with other athletes. It would be mammoth task for them to carry out
the Olympics with more than 10000 athletes and perhaps the double the number of
officials. There has been ban on foreign spectators which has invited a severe
backlash more so because of non-refundable tickets.
In the context of the games and the
Olympic day, it would be interesting to take a look at India’s prospects in the
games. At the outset it must be said, there would be uncertainty and thus would
be difficult to predict the movement of results. It would be wrong perhaps to
expect a targeted set of medals. Many countries are scaling back their
expectations and are not setting any targeted medals. Yet one can broadly analyze
the prospects of Indian athletes in the best case scenario. India will be
sending around 110 athletes something similar to last time in Rio. The athletes
would be competing in a host of sports and there is an increase in the number
of sports India is participating. India is participating in fencing for the
first time while it participating in equestrian after a gap of twenty years.
India is sending a larger contingent of four sailors in three events in
sailing, perhaps for the first time India is participating in more than one
event in the sport. India has also confirmed an entry in Judo, a sport where
India participates regularly but has not made any impact over the years. There is
also a gymnast in the field but little can be expected of her unlike last time.
The same result might be expected in the lone rowing entry. It would be
difficult to expect any medals or even top ten finish in these sports barring a
miracle. Yet, the very fact, India is going to participate in these sports
would itself be some glory.
India might not expect much in table
tennis but the players are likely to pull off an upset or two. It was
disappointing to see them not qualifying in the team events, something which
was expected from women’s archery team which faltered in the qualifiers. Archery
does create expectations but invariably lead to disappointment. One hopes there
would be a better performance in the sport. Lawn tennis is showing some decline
with only the women’s doubles getting an entry thanks to the protected ranking
system. There is an entry in the weightlifting and given her ranking, there is
an expectation for a medal in the sport after 20 years.
Indian athletes are ready to
participate in the track and field and a number of athletes are likely to
qualify. Yet barring javelin throw, there is hardly any chance of a medal in
the sport. However some good performances including qualification for the
finals are likely to be expected. There is no improvement in swimming with
India again choosing to field universality places. The sport certainly needs
some push up in the coming years. There are a couple of golfers but unlikely to
create any dent though there did create some interest in Rio. India’s hopes
will continue in badminton and are likely to gain a medal or so. It would be
disappointment if India fails to get a medal in the sport.
India’s chances in wrestling are
certainly bright with at least four wrestlers being seeded. They should give
India a couple of medals in continuation of the past three games. Indian hopes
would also rest high on boxing where there is a strong contingent. It should be
a surprise if India fails to perform to expectations in the sport. Shooting is
one sport where India has been dominant in recent times and should continue to
assert its dominance. It came a damp squib at Rio to find India without medals
in shooting. India should be targeting in excess of five shooting medals if
everything goes well in Tokyo.
This brings us to the eternal hope
in field hockey. India has been doing well in recent times. India should reach
the quarter finals comfortably in the men’s section and a victory there should
put on the throes of the medal. The women have done well to qualify for the
second time in a row but little can be expected given the current form. They would
do well if they reach the quarter finals. India has historically underperformed
at the international stage in sports. India has perhaps talent but execution
has always been below expectations. Indians are not able to cope with the
global competition. There would expectations but many a time they turn out be
unrealistic with often a poor reality check. India, if has to demonstrate its
superpower credentials has to demonstrate its prowess in sports too. India has
ignored the reality for a long time. For a population of India’s size, it would
be hardly justice if India doesn’t stand top in sports. Tokyo Olympics is
happening at a time when the world is grappling with the virus emerging from
China. There are huge odds to beat not just the virus or the athletes but even
the protocols and the norms that are sought to be imposed in Tokyo. Indian
athletes have done a lot of hard work in qualifying for the Olympics. There have
been few disappointments in qualification but nevertheless the time is to look
forward and hope India turns the corner in its quest for sporting supremacy.
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