I was with Saurav Ghosal in Delhi when the Thomas Bach, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president made the announcement that the Executive Board had recommended the inclusion of all five sports put forth by LA 28 to the session in Mumbai. From there on, it was just a formality and Ghosal knew it. Soon after President Bach made the announcement, Saurav and I looked at each other.
He was all smiles, and knew the inevitable question was coming. And I had to ask him.
The conversation thereafter touched upon a number of things, and time just flew. Here are the excerpts:
Boria: Now that it has happened, and may I say you have forever wanted it to happen, are you going to push yourself or not?
Saurav: I knew that was coming. But you know, had it not been for this announcement, I could have called time. Asian Games or Commonwealth Games can no longer be the calling card. I have done them both, and it’s done if you know what I mean. But the Olympics! It is what an athlete lives for. I have always dreamed about playing the Olympics. I know I will be 42, and it won’t be easy, but then I don’t want to say no either. It has just come, the announcement, and I will absolutely try. I can tell you that.
Boria: You are fit as anyone half your age. You are playing at the highest level. You have examples like our own Rohan Bopanna in front of you. An Olympic medal to sign off could be the perfect ending to a perfect career.
Saurav: Oh, you bet it will be. An Olympic medal will be the best ending I can ever think of. The dream ending. But it will be hard. To make the podium in LA will be the most difficult thing to do, but as I said, I have to say this announcement has changed everything for me. I can no longer say I don’t have things to look forward to. I can’t say any of it. It still needs to sink in that there is a chance to play the Olympics, and I will absolutely try and give my best to do so.
Boria: When I first got in touch, I remember you telling me about your preparation. That’s what it will be about. Pacing your preparation.
Saurav: The moot point is how you pace yourself. While you need to be very well prepared, you don’t want to overdo things. Be in the best shape physically and mentally. That’s where all the planning is required, and that’s what I am going to try and do. It will be physically draining. Mentally, one has to be switched on. But then, it is the chance of a lifetime and you can’t just say you won’t try!
Boria: You have been a stalwart of the sport for years now. You have won big medals in the past. Been there and done that, as they say. Does that experience help when you take a call like this?
Saurav: It does. I have been playing at this level for 15 years now and, as you said, know how major events unfold. You actually know what to expect and, as a result, have a sense of how and when to push yourself. That’s where experience comes into play. Situations don’t faze you anymore. If something crops up that you haven’t really anticipated or expected, you aren’t thrown off gear. Because you have the experience, you can deal with anything that is thrown at you. But then, this is the Olympics!