These are the Latin words for the Olympic motto, which means "Swifter, Higher, and Stronger." The best athletes from around the world exemplify that creed as they compete in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
On one hand I receive mails from unknown people urging us to boycott the Beijing Games, and on the other hand the news channels are full of stories of the American murder at the Games.
On one hand we hear of a lesser known state called Georgia who is under severe attack by Russia and despite those troubles at home bravely competing at the Olympics, while, on the other hand we see a sportswoman parading in the nude against animal fur at the grounds of a stadium in Beijing.
The biggest show of sports competition some would argue - The Olympics. Spectacular grandeur. Power. Politics. A show of strength and supremacy surely.
Today, in India, people from all walks of life, have felt very proud of the Gold won by Bindra. He was terrific. Despite we faring miserably against Sri Lanka in cricket and losing the match and the series, the Gold at the Olympics did the nation proud. Almost made the bitter end of the cricket test series swalloable, if I may add!
A first ever in shooting, this Gold. A difficult feat, but Abhinav broke through the cobwebs and brought home priceless joy to the country that goes far beyond the value of any reward. No amount of incentive could substitute the pride, the gold-winning sportsman would get for himself and for the Indian people. The Indian tricolor that went up and the national anthem that reverberated through the award ceremony are moments etched in history books forever.
Time to allow the champagne to pop. What a stellar journey this has been for Abhinav. Was this an individual feat and a personal achievement for him and his family? Or will the sports association of India quickly claim this to be their legal win and their contribution to India?
Am sure we will soon see the business tycoons pledge money to him, and also to air rifle shooting, heralding the golden era for the Olympic sport in India, as many enthusiasts of the country are quick to rush in and claim. The nations Olympic track record has not been too bright. But the Indian spirit has seen a recharge. A fairytale unfolding.
25 comments:
hey great news Mee! Congratulations!
What a proud moment for India certainly
hey I had no clue sitting so far away..am soooo happy:)
This victory reflects once again that persistence pays. Abhinav participated in the 2000 and the 2004 Olympics too..but his never say die spirit finally got India the gold in 2008. Truly a proud moment for India.
O yea! Give it to me one more time baby!:) What a moment. Totally agree with you. The chants in Chandigarh are 'singh is king" :)
A "happy" moment for all India. What a proud moment. And to see stacked 12th in the rankings of medal was so cool too, admitted there are many days to go and disappointments have already started setting in with key guys not coming thru
Indeed a very proud moment for us all...however I can't help thinking I wish we invest a bit more on other sports rather than just cricket :) I think this win has more to do with Abhinav's own hardwork, rather than the organisers. Sad but true, India being a nation of billions hardly nurtures different sporting activities.
hi.... good post indeed.... this is good that after 28 years gold medal has ben own by India at olympics...... he deserves the accolades..... in every phase of life it is pretty much the same......lets try to break ice and may be the recognitions will come automatically
will cherish this moment for a really long time... Hope this will help create more interest in other sports rather than focusing on cricket alone.
Hey what a moment Mee!:) am simply going to revel in this proud moment and not criticize or wish things would be otherwise:)
heard that rathore didnt qualify, and tat kumbles boys went down bad ..and none of this has dampened my spirit. I adore the spirit of Bindra and his maturity in handling so much attention all of a sudden. Indeed a superb moment for the country
Olympics is indeed so special, keeping fingers crossed on the badminton matches too now.
very proud about India winning the gold medal!Yep so true i am not even thinking about the cricket defeat!But its very very well written!
Wat a pity that our hopes of converting more metals are fast dwindling at Beijing with Sania out of baddy!:(
Mike, Jim, Mel -:) Of course Phelps is on a roll and looks like there is no stopping him, Tho personally I am a great one for the underdog and don't see him walking away with 8 medals :) as a individual feat!
Pawan - also the fact that his family invested in him and got him the equipment and a sound proof studio and stuff for him to pursue his passion.
RS - am sure :)
Sheila- crap happens too:(
Dammy indeed we dont. I am currently working with 2 clients who are looking to invest in such sports now.
allex, brian, runa - yep:)
gits- for sure, he has been amazingly calm right through in fact very matter of fact.
sanjiv - am afraid those hopes are dashed this morning..sania crashed out of badminton:(
vin! ty:) u sure you are not thinking about how bad you felt about the "seniors" getting the rough end of the stick in cricket?:)
ash - yea!:( but honestly how much do we invest in building sportsmen in our country? zilch effort. look at china they have left no stone unturned to win max medals!
Ah! finally we get some shimmer at the Olympics... Yipee!!!.
Here every hosehold is tuned in to watch Michael Phelps, he won a gold medal "AGAIN"..now not my fault if i sound weary but he makes it look so easy. I think it would be fun to watch him loose once just to prove he is human ....An underdog like somebody from land locked country like Mongolia :)
hey sailaja- so usa is celebrating phelps the aquatic gladiators olympic history huh? its brilliant wat he has done. truly remarkable. makes me envious!:) but am sure thr will come a time when sportment from india wil excel too:)
yup,
Finally something to show. But i am not too excited. I am sure with a billion plus population- we can do better anyday. Perhaps just goes to show again that our sports management is mired in politics - for how else can we explain that we cant produce world-class talent ??
hey Sabith - yes. However would you have imagined 10yrs ago the bouyancy and economic boom we see today in India?:) Right time, right investments made it happen, Am sure sports will see a fillip too soon:)
Ok, so here is my take on this. The medal is Abhinav's and Abhinav's only. I dont think the country can take credit or bask in the glory, coz the country had little or no contribution to the win. So all kudos to him and his family.
Sure it felt good so see our flag go up an to hear the anthem, I cannot even image what the people of China feel - to win so many golds.
Well, thats all. I nod in disgust and then promptly turn my shoulder in apathy and continue my every day life. Until the next games.
Feel good......
Great feat by Bindra indeed. Lucky he came from an affluent background and his parents could support him through it. His father has made an olympic size shooting range, spa, gym at his farm house for Abhinav to practice.
shiran - i know wat you mean but we gotta believe we can do it as a nation, and we will, i know it! i am willing to even go as far as saying in another decade we will be among the top 3 nations collecting the max number of medals:)
neelu- yea true he got many things going due to personal status. therein is a lesson for the olympic sports committee to find the right talent and find the financial backing to support n nurture this bright breed of talent
A bronze in Wrestling followed the Gold. I wonder if this signals that the hegemony of cricket is probably near. :-)
Deric
derrrrrric:) howdy:) am mtg Albert today..u wanna meet too?:)yea I wonder too...am hopeful:)
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