Dipa Karmarkar

Yet this year’s on-field struggles seem trivial compared to what India’s athletes have faced off the arena.

Even after having made it to the event, the athletes—some of whom have dedicated their lives to their chosen fields in the face of untold hardships—haven’t got their due in terms of treatment, respect, and facilities.

To top it off, the abominable behaviour of senior politicians claiming to be accompanying or encouraging them has shamed both them and the country.

Meanwhile, a nine-member team representing the state of Haryana arrived in Rio “to encourage the Haryana players.” However, the group, led by the state sports minister Anil Vij, has been noticeably absent at key events—even those involving their state’s athletes. Instead they were found sight-seeing and frolicking on Rio’s beaches.

Ironically, many of these delegates flew business class to the Brazilian city, unlike the athletes themselves. Sprinter Dutee Chand, for instance, endured a 36-hour flight in economy class on a plane that had managers and other delegates travelling business class.

“If players are treated like this, what kind of performance will we give in (the) Olympics?” Chand asked. She failed to qualify for the 100-meter semi-finals.

Dipa Karmakar, whose amazing performance took her to the women’s vault finals, had her own share of woes.

Initially, the gymnast’s physiotherapist wasn’t allowed to travel with her—it was dubbed “wasteful” by the Sports Authority of India. The officials jumped into action only when she made history by qualifying for the finals; the physiotherapist was rushed to Brazil soon after.

Incidentally, the Indian team’s chief medical officer in Rio isn’t an expert in sports medicine; instead, he’s a trained radiologist.

confuzzled dude wrote:

Yet this year’s on-field struggles seem trivial compared to what India’s athletes have faced off the arena.

Even after having made it to the event, the athletes—some of whom have dedicated their lives to their chosen fields in the face of untold hardships—haven’t got their due in terms of treatment, respect, and facilities.

To top it off, the abominable behaviour of senior politicians claiming to be accompanying or encouraging them has shamed both them and the country.

Meanwhile, a nine-member team representing the state of Haryana arrived in Rio “to encourage the Haryana players.” However, the group, led by the state sports minister Anil Vij, has been noticeably absent at key events—even those involving their state’s athletes. Instead they were found sight-seeing and frolicking on Rio’s beaches.

Ironically, many of these delegates flew business class to the Brazilian city, unlike the athletes themselves. Sprinter Dutee Chand, for instance, endured a 36-hour flight in economy class on a plane that had managers and other delegates travelling business class.

“If players are treated like this, what kind of performance will we give in (the) Olympics?” Chand asked. She failed to qualify for the 100-meter semi-finals.

Dipa Karmakar, whose amazing performance took her to the women’s vault finals, had her own share of woes.

Initially, the gymnast’s physiotherapist wasn’t allowed to travel with her—it was dubbed “wasteful” by the Sports Authority of India. The officials jumped into action only when she made history by qualifying for the finals; the physiotherapist was rushed to Brazil soon after.

Incidentally, the Indian team’s chief medical officer in Rio isn’t an expert in sports medicine; instead, he’s a trained radiologist.

http://qz.com/760053/indias-olympians-deserve-a-medal-just-for-putting-up-with-their-countrys-officials/