The History of the Olympics
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Olympic Games have a rich
history that dates back to ancient Greece. The first recorded Olympic Games
were held in 776 BC in Olympia, Greece, as a festival to honor Zeus, the king
of the gods The. These early games were primarily a religious event, featuring
athletic competitions such as running, wrestling, and chariot racing. The
ancient Olympics continued for nearly 12 centuries before being banned by Roman
Emperor Theodosius I in 393 AD due to their pagan origins.
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The modern revival of the
Olympics took place in the late 19th century, thanks to the efforts of French
educator Baron Pierre de Coubertin. Inspired by the ancient games, Coubertin
aimed to promote international peace and unity through sports. The first modern
Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896, marking the beginning of
the Olympic movement that continues to this day
The Modern Olympics
The modern Olympics have evolved
significantly since their revival in 1896. Today, the Summer and Winter Olympic
Games are held every four years, alternating between the two. The Games have
become a global phenomenon, with over 200 nations participating in a wide
variety of sports.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC),
established in 1894, governs the Olympics and oversees the organization of the
Games. Over the years, the Olympics have grown to include new sports, advanced
infrastructure, and increased media coverage, making them one of the most
watched and celebrated events worldwide.
The Olympic Games also symbolize the values of excellence, friendship, and respect, with athletes from around the world coming together to compete in a spirit of fair play and mutual respect. The Olympics have become more than just a sporting event; they represent the aspirations and dreams of nations and individuals alike.
Where We Are Lacking in
Olympics
Despite the progress, India still faces
several challenges that hinder its performance at the Olympics. One of the
primary issues is the lack of adequate infrastructure and facilities for
athletes, especially in rural areas. Many talented athletes struggle to access
quality coaching, training, and equipment, which impacts their performance on
the international stage. Majority of our talent got wasted waiting for just one
opportunity.
Another issue in India is politicisation of sports, unequal budget
allocation. To reap the political benefits more budget is being allocated to
such states which are not even contributing single medal, or more budget is
allocated to alliance partners. Lack of political will is also another big
problem. Sports are not in any of the priority list, there is no political
gain from spending on sports. So, there is need to take preventive measures
rather than taking credit of their victories. There is no accountability for
MP's or MLA's if the state is showing poor performance in commonwealth or Asian
games.
Additionally, the sports culture in India
is often overshadowed by cricket, which receives the majority of attention and
funding. Other sports struggle to gain the same level of support, both from the
government and the private sector. This imbalance has led to a gap in the
development of talent across different sports.
Moreover, there is a need for better sports
governance and administration. Bureaucratic hurdles, mismanagement, and a lack
of transparency have often hampered the growth of sports in India. The focus
needs to shift towards nurturing talent from a young age and providing them
with the necessary resources and support.
Another biggest question came to minds that
why our players cannot retain their previous victories. players like Sushil
Kumar, Sakshi Malik,Vijender Kumar . only few are there which can submit
remarkable win twice. we have to learn from other countries like France is
proved as great host with its striking performance winning total 16 gold. A 22 years
old swimmer Leon Marchand won 4 gold.
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How We Can Improve: Need of the Hour
Are we really ready for Olympics 2036? If
India wants to host Olympics in 2036 there is need to bring change from
grassroot level. To improve India's performance at the Olympics, a
comprehensive and strategic approach is needed. Here are some key steps that
can help India achieve greater success:
Grassroots
Development: Invest in grassroots sports programs
to identify and nurture talent from a young age. Schools and colleges should be
encouraged to promote sports alongside academics.
Infrastructure
and Facilities: Build world-class training
facilities across the country, especially in rural and remote areas. Access to
quality coaching, equipment, and sports science support is crucial for
athletes’ development.
Increased
Funding: Allocate more funds for sports other than
cricket. Both government and private sectors should invest in a wide range of
sports to ensure that athletes receive the necessary financial support.
Focus on
Athlete Welfare: Provide comprehensive support to
athletes, including mental health services, nutrition, and injury management. A
holistic approach to athlete welfare will enhance their performance and
longevity in sports. Government should listen to them. Their basic needs,
personal coaches and nutritionist should be provided to them .example of Vinesh
Phogat is a lesson to learn for coming years. we missed a sure medal just
because of 50 grams of weight.
Professional
Sports Administration: Improve sports governance by
ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in sports organizations.
Reducing bureaucratic red tape will allow athletes to focus on their training
and performance. Red tapism should be converted into Red carpet for our players.
Promotion of
Sports Culture: Cultivate a culture that values and
respects sports as a profession. Encourage families and communities to support
young athletes and celebrate their achievements. KHELO INDIA is one such
initiative which can hunt talent from all across the country. Young talent
should be recognized and provide them with all amenities. the players who
record victories at Asian games and Commonwealth games should be given more
focused training so that they can perform their best at Olympics.
India’s Performance So Far in Olympics.
India’s journey in the Olympic Games has
been a story of determination, struggle, and gradual progress. India made its
Olympic debut in 1900, with a single athlete, Norman Pritchard, winning two
silver medals in athletics. However, it wasn’t until 1928 that India achieved
global recognition by winning its first gold medal in field hockey, a sport
where India dominated for several decades.
Over the years, India has won medals in
various sports, including wrestling, boxing, badminton, and shooting. However,
despite being a nation with over a billion people, India’s medal tally at the
Olympics has often been modest compared to other countries.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics was a turning
point, with India winning three medals, including its first individual gold by
shooter Abhinav Bindra. This was followed by a six-medal haul in the 2012
London Olympics, showcasing India’s potential on the global stage.
Paris Olympics: India’s
Medal Tally
As India prepares for the Paris Olympics in
2024, expectations were high for the nation to improve its performance further.
The country has been investing in sports infrastructure, Khelo India, coaching,
and athlete development programs to enhance its chances of winning more medals.
Athletes like Neeraj Chopra, P.V. Sindhu, Vinesh Phogat, our hockey teams were our symbols of hope and inspiration
for the nation. But at Paris Olympics we fell short of our performance from
Tokyo Olympics 2020.India finished its campaign with only 6 medals under its
basket that too zero gold, one silver and five bronze. Manu Bhaker is star of
this Olympics. She becomes first women to won two medals in single Olympics. Neeraj Chopra missed gold but stayed
consistent for getting second continuous medal in Olympics just like our men’s
Hockey team. We got new winners from Paris Olympics like Sarbjot Singh won
bronze in shooting, Swapnil Kusale won bronze medal in shooting and Aman
Sherawat won bronze medal in wrestling. India achieved 71st place
far behind many small countries like Italy, Poland, Japan, Turkey to name a few. Our 117 athletes participated this year in
about 16 disciplines, like tennis, table tennis, shooting, swimming, archery, athletics etc.
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