The Olympic Games Village is a unique melting pot where athletes from over 200 countries come together, not just to compete fiercely but also to live in a friendly, warm atmosphere, creating lasting memories. I witnessed this firsthand during my Olympic debut at the Sydney Games in 2000. It’s not merely about life in the Village; the very essence of the Olympics resides within its walls. You see global icons like Michael Phelps, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic, yet everyone feels equal. This is the spirit of sports that permeates the Village.
One of my favorite Olympic memories from Sydney involves Anwer Sultan, an Indian shooter, and myself. We were having dinner when we spotted Venus and Serena Williams. Anwer was eager for a picture with them, but I was too shy to ask. To our surprise, they agreed, but we didn’t have smartphones back then, and Anwer’s camera was in our room. We asked them to wait for five minutes while we retrieved it. Upon our return, the Williams sisters were still there, patiently waiting. However, the story took an unexpected turn. We realized the camera lacked a film roll. Once again, we excused ourselves and rushed to the photo shop in the Village. It took another 10 to 15 minutes, yet the Williams sisters remained, their smiles unwavering, happy to pose with us. This exemplifies the spirit of sportsmanship that flourishes in the Olympic Village.
The experience of sitting in the massive dining hall, observing athletes from diverse sports, countries, sizes, and shapes, is truly captivating. Life in the Olympic Village, with over 10,000 athletes striving for excellence, is an exhilarating experience. There’s a wonderful feeling of unity, a shared pursuit of pushing human limits and achieving peak performance.
I vividly recall the moment Karnam Malleswari won the weightlifting bronze medal in Sydney. Later that evening, everyone in the Village showered her with congratulations. Similar scenes unfolded when Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore won the silver medal in shooting at Athens 2004. The Village buzzed with excitement as everyone crafted greeting cards and penned messages for him. When I triumphed in Beijing in 2008, I returned to the Village famished and drained. All I craved was a McDonald’s meal. The congratulatory cards I received added a special touch to the victory. The next morning, I was featured on the front page of the Games newspaper, a small prize in itself.
In London in 2012, Manavjit Singh Sandhu and I missed the opening ceremony. We decided to catch a movie at the mall next to the Olympic Village. It was just the two of us in the entire theater, and they even ran the show for us! Rio 2016 was another fantastic experience, filled with strong bonds and camaraderie, despite the challenges. Life in the Olympic Village is a high-energy existence, often leading to sensory overload. It’s crucial to find moments of solitude and recharge amidst the constant buzz.
Leading up to the Beijing Games, I was laser-focused. I had meticulously followed my training regimen and wasn’t fixated on the outcome. My objective was to concentrate on executing my skills and embracing the present moment. With 60 shots in qualification and 10 in the final, I aimed for 70 perfect shots, one at a time, giving my best in each. I was content and proud of my preparation, knowing I had done everything within my power. Winning the gold was a momentous occasion for both me and the country. It lifted a long-standing burden, shattering the notion that a nation of a billion people couldn’t produce an Olympic gold medalist. It was a watershed moment for Indian sports, instilling belief in athletes and transforming the mindset of the nation. More than the athletes, people began to believe in our ability to win Olympic gold. Everyone’s aspirations soared higher. As a nation, we have evolved. Society has changed. Young India possesses a stronger belief in our ability to excel on the global stage.
At the elite level, support is abundant. This is a wonderful development. While there are significant challenges, there is also significant progress. We must continue to take steps towards reaching the next level. However, we might also encounter stagnation at some point. Having achieved 10 Olympic medals, a milestone we are poised to surpass in Paris, how do we reach 30 or 40 medals? How do we evolve to match our overall progress as a nation? This thought should be a priority after the Paris Games.
It’s fantastic that we are performing well at this stage, whether it’s the Olympics or winning the T20 Cricket World Cup. We must utilize sports to build a healthier country, ensuring that young children engage in sports for a better society. Playing sports for the sheer joy of it, not just for elite achievement, helps instill values and develop character. We must prioritize greater participation in sports. Once a large number of people are engaged, it will automatically impact the pool of elite athletes. I see this happening in shooting already. There is a wealth of talent emerging. This transformation needs to occur across various sports. This shift is crucial if we are aiming to bid for the 2036 Olympics. Despite our progress, we have a limited number of elite athletes. No amount of increased funding can guarantee more wins without a larger pool of talent in multiple sports. Hosting the Olympics should serve as a catalyst for broader change, leading to a healthier, more vibrant, and sporting India.
