When one looks at the dismal show of India in London Olympics - 3 medals (none of them gold) for a nation of 1 billion people - many different reasons come to mind. Was it the lack of interest shown by Indians to sports other than Cricket ? Or was it simply the fact that we come from a nation that traditionally frowned upon competitiveness ? After all, Buddha taught us that desire is the root cause of suffering. So why desire anything materialistic ? Anything that will not last in the next life. Desire to win can be considered also a short lived pleasure.
The above is certainly not true. If one goes to Metro's of India these days, one can see a intense struggle and competitiveness for life. So then why do we do poorly at Olympics. Of course the reason for this is cultural as well.
The Indian system does not lay emphasis on sports in general. Our sports infrastructure is lacking. The facilities are poor. And modern sports are very much about facilities - gymnasiums, swimming pools, indoor volleyball courts etc etc. Middles classes in India want to have financial security first and do exotic things like excel in sports later. The arts and sports become pastime of nations that have acquired a basic level of standards of living.
I was walking to the nearest fast food joint to my house, when these thoughts ran through my mind. As I neared the place after crossing desolate streets of silicon valley suburbs - where one saw more cars than people - it occurred to me that may be it is our diet that is to blame for dismal showings in competitive sports. Indeed when I got in the line to order my food I thought I had found the answer to my own question; I ordered a veggie patty sandwich, while the tall muscular white man in front of me ordered a turkey avocado bacon sandwich.
The above is certainly not true. If one goes to Metro's of India these days, one can see a intense struggle and competitiveness for life. So then why do we do poorly at Olympics. Of course the reason for this is cultural as well.
The Indian system does not lay emphasis on sports in general. Our sports infrastructure is lacking. The facilities are poor. And modern sports are very much about facilities - gymnasiums, swimming pools, indoor volleyball courts etc etc. Middles classes in India want to have financial security first and do exotic things like excel in sports later. The arts and sports become pastime of nations that have acquired a basic level of standards of living.
I was walking to the nearest fast food joint to my house, when these thoughts ran through my mind. As I neared the place after crossing desolate streets of silicon valley suburbs - where one saw more cars than people - it occurred to me that may be it is our diet that is to blame for dismal showings in competitive sports. Indeed when I got in the line to order my food I thought I had found the answer to my own question; I ordered a veggie patty sandwich, while the tall muscular white man in front of me ordered a turkey avocado bacon sandwich.
