THE POST - OLYMPIC HUMBUG

THE POST  - OLYMPIC HUMBUG

Finally, the media has got over with the daily dose of criticism of the Indian Athletes and their massive off-putting performances. Though, we are still holding out lolly pops of Khel-Ratna awards and Promotions in Jobs for a few lucky ones, there has been a big void in the follow -ups for the ones who didn't prove their mettle.

My colleagues never talked of Olympics till the day Sakshi Malik swept a bronze medal in 58 kg. women Wrestling at Rio 2016. When PV Sindhu dismayed the World No.2 Wang Yihan of China and moved on to the Semi- finals, the male counter parts at work, praised the female athletes even applauding the fourth position of Deepa Karmakar in Gymnastics. 

Dressed in a bright yellow , PV Sindhu when smashed away to victory after crushing Nozomi Okuhara, her higher ranked Japanese opponent in the semi-finals, Indians did feel the jubilation for milli seconds to be precise. The next second the topic switched to ' Will India win the Gold?' No one praised the hard work of the player and her coach but everyone... believe me, almost whole of the Urban social- networking Savvy population became instant experts on Badminton and could throw out strategies for each shot. Ironical for a country which just worships the game of Ball and bat, a Shuttler; that too a female, could attract attention.

On the day of the Final game I'm sure, PV Sindhu had hordes of  butterflies in her tiny stomach and her coach was as nervous as her. We, the equally excited spectators, anxiously waited to see the match live in our living rooms with popcorn and drinks , discussing that if India wins the match..( it's the country's win... the poor player gets the mention only if it's a cricketer) who would throw a party and where?

PV Sindhu lost the game to World No. 1 Carolina Marin of Spain but she became the Queen of Indian Media. Paparazzi ran to click her smiling pictures. After all the hard work she did put in to reach the pedestal of Olympic medal, her smile was so genuine and clear. All the kudos went to her. BMW, Brand Ambassador of CRPF, Promotion at Work, Crores of money from different states, endorsements and Khel Ratna to name a few, accolades have poured on the Indian Shuttler in abundance. It's befitting no doubt, but what next ?

The government talks of an action plan for the next Olympics... God Bless the Government so that they stay in power for the next tenure as well.