FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
For over the century, the Olympics has been the ultimate expression of human excellence. It’s a collection of incredible stories, of hope in the face of despair, and valour in the face of strife, that comes every four years to serve as a reminder of what our species can achieve. It tests the limits of endurance, stamina and, above all, the human spirit. Every Olympics drives us to go faster, soar higher and emerge stronger. Citius, Altius, Fortius—not just on the field of play but as an inspiration for everyone in all walks of life.
Since the Cold War, the Olympics got associated with the pride and prowess of a nation with the legendary rivalry between the US and the former USSR. Then China decided to enter this race in 2000, with spectacular results. Sadly, in India, the Olympics came to represent another round of soul-searching and buck-passing as our athletes were unable to compete on the world stage even though our maidans were brimming with untapped talent. Though Indians did have the potential to become Olympic champions, the hurdles they had to face at every step were insurmountable. Poor facilities, inadequate coaching, the lack of proper equipment and self-serving officials who used their clout to enjoy foreign trips ended up breaking the back of Olympic sports in India.
To Indian administrators—usually politicians and businessmen with no real link to the sports they were managing—the sporting arena was a prime territory to exploit. It offered a gravy train of public funds and allowed them to hand out favours. Given this sorry state of affairs, it was no surprise that India got only one medal in any sport other than hockey until 1992, and one surprise medal each in the three Olympics that followed.
But then, in 2008, something suddenly changed. A young shooter from Chandigarh, Abhinav Bindra, became the first-ever individual gold medallist from India, and two others, wrestler Sushil Kumar and boxer Vijender Singh, came back with bronzes. Three medals for a country of a billion people may not be much, but it was enough to change mindsets and open floodgates. Four years later, in London 2012, India won six medals and many of our athletes came close. While official apathy remained, there was a sense that our sports stars were taking matters into their own hands, and the private sector, led by groups such as the non-profit Olympic Gold Quest, was rising to the occasion by supporting them.
Though India still has a long way to go before it can be considered a genuine sporting nation, and will be dwarfed once again by the United States, Russia and China, we’re sending our largest-ever contingent to Rio 2016. Several of our athletes are in line for medals. Whether they win or not is another matter, for such is the nature of competitive sport, but these are the first Games where they believe they can return with a rich haul.
In this special issue, curated by Executive Editor Kunal Pradhan, we showcase some of India’s finest elite sportsmen on the eve of their Rio excursion. Group Photo Editor Bandeep Singh has shot a series of exclusive photographs of them, expertly bringing out the artistry behind their craft. “Indian athletes usually went to the Olympics saying they hoped to get a medal. This time, they’re talking about winning gold,” Pradhan says.
If only our administrators would wake up and do the jobs they were meant to do, the rise of Indian sport could be much faster. People who have been squatting as federation chiefs for decades need to be booted out, and a professional system must be devised that brings out the best our athletes have to offer. The ‘nation of one billion with hardly any medals’ refrain has haunted us for too long. We deserve better.
On that note, best of luck to all our competitors—may you fulfill your dreams and may the tricolour fly high at the Games!