WHY LONDON 2012 CAN BE THE BEST OLYMPICS EVER FOR INDIA:
Since returning empty handed in 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Indian graph in Olympics has always been on rise, in 1996, thanks to Leander Paes, India got a bronze (a medal after 3 Olympics) than came Karnam Malleswari's bronze in Sydney-2000, Rajyawardhan Singh Rathore truly raised the Olympic spirit for India in Athens-2004 by bringing the sole silver (Indian ranking improved from 71 to 65).
Than came the Beijing, If there is one event which brought revolution to Indian sports & changing the mindset of Indians that there is life on other planets as well, (since Indians only know one sport - cricket.....
) it has to be
Beijing-2008, Abhinav Bindra's gold & 2 bronze of Vijender Singh & Shushil Kumar made the people believe that Indians can also perform in International sporting events, they were now household names & Shooting, wrestling & boxing - household games. I know 3 medals are nothing when we compare with likes of Russia, US, China, Britain even Jamica which cannot be seen in world map brings more medals, but for a nation who does not have any sporting culture this was a huge achievement, India jumped in ranking from 65 to 50, & now for the first time there is such a huge buzz for Olympics & Indian Athletes who are participating in it, I really thank Beijing-2008 for bringing some sort of Sporting culture in India.
THANK YOU BEIJING (08)
POST BEIJING -2008:
post Beijing olympics, India has seen wonders in International olympics events:
1. Delhi Commonwealth Games (2010) - India finished with it's best performance ever (101 medals, 38 golds, rank-2)
2. Asian Games (2010) - India finished with it's best overall medal tally ever, total 64 medals to it's kitty.
3. Vijender Singh was ranked no. 1 for some time, Saina Nehwal was no. 2 before coming down to no. 5, Sushil Kumar won the world wrestling championship in 2010, Deepika Kumari is currently no. 1 in world archery individual ranking and many more.
Factors favoring India for London-2012:
1. Biggest contingent for India in Olympics ever (total -81 athletes, In Beijing, India had 57).
2. Since 1992 Indian tally in Olympics has only risen.
3. India is now seen as a serious competitor in sports where it never was one - Archery, Wrestling, Boxing, Tennis, Athletics.
4. Having top ranked players will certainly help in realizing the Indian dream.
5. There is now more help & support available for Athletes (economically, psychologically, etc.)
I am sure that London-2012 will be the best Olympic for India ever.