The Elephant ( India) and the Dragon (China) in the Olympics

India was granted freedom by the British in 1947 and China was able to overthrow the Nationalist party of General Chiang Kai Shek who was a puppet of the USA in 1949 and establish a communist state. In 1949 the Indian economy was ahead of the Chinese economy and also in the field of sports India had been a participant at the Olympics since 1900. In contrast China was primitive in sports and games and entered the Olympics many years later.

The comparison ends here, for once China entered the Olympics it made a big splash in terms of medals and now in the present London Olympics it is the leading gold medal winner so far. In contrast India is struggling and where china has won nearly 15 gold medals India has a measly 2bronze. and a silver. Obviously something is wrong somewhere, for in terms of manpower India is just a little behind China, yet in terms of medals and wins in sporting events India is on the earth, groveling in mud, while China is a rainbow in the sky.

This is in real terms a matter of shame and one wonders what is the reason. One can't keep saying that the root cause of this problem is politics, as poor African nations win more medals than India. the problem is perhaps deeper and involves the Indian psyche and poor national health. This point of poor national health is not a statement made out of the air, but is a fact. The Indian masses get very little protein and good food and also our diet being mostly vegetarian, is not conducive to building up stamina for sports. The result is that Indian are not physically fit and that is one big reason for an extremely poor show at the Olympics where the world's best compete.

This poor health of the masses where millions get hardly food to eat and is a bug bear. We must remember that sportsmen come from the masses and if the masses do not have a proper diet, where will the athletes come from. This poor health of the nation can be squarely laid at the door of the Congress party which has ruled India for 50 out of the 64 years after independence. Its a pity that little effort is made to improve the national health. Another point is the lack of facilities. After all with no swimming pools available in the countryside, where will the swimmers emerge from?. This is an example and this lack of facilities is like anchor around the neck of Indian sports.

China in contrast has improved the national health and sports facilities are available in the remotest places and the result is there for all to see. They dominate while India lags behind. I do not see any change coming in the next 50 years. Prove me wrong!