S Kannan in Paris
Team effort, recovery and putting the best medical team in place – these are the most important factors for Indian athletes to peak at Paris 2024 and win medals, said PT Usha, president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), in an exclusive interview with Boria Majumdar, editor-in-chief of RevSportz.
Forty years ago, Usha finished fourth in the 400m hurdles at the Los Angeles Olympics. “It was a national heartbreak,” said Majumdar in his first question to Usha, which made her emotional, but she maintained her composure. Usha had lost the bronze medal by 1/100th of a second.
“It is a big responsibility for me this time as IOA President, we have done everything for them,” said Usha in a matter-of-fact way, not willing to be caught in the prediction game of how many medals India would win in Paris. Even as the interview was on, news had started trickling in about how the Indian archers were doing well, a day before the opening ceremony.
Usha spoke of sports science at length and how important it was for the athletes’ recovery. “For athletes to recover, you need a good medical support system, and we now have a team led by Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala from Mumbai,” said Usha. Dr Pardiwala has operated upon several athletes in the past and is in Paris with a full medical entourage.
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“We are thankful Dr Pardiwala agreed to come,” said Usha. “He is not going to be paid by the IOA and for him to give us time is big – he will be missing his (medical) practice.” She then spoke at length on the importance of doctors, physios, sleep therapists and all that goes into sports science. It was clear from her answers that she had played a key role in hiring this medical team as she wanted the best results from the Indian athletes at these Summer Games.
Speaking on the support staff for the athletes, Usha made it clear how it was vital to bring on board coaches, physios and all experts, rather than babus [bureaucrats]. For 117 athletes, there is almost a 1: 1 ratio of support staff.
“The players can’t do things alone, they need a support system to feel confident,” said Usha. “We have sent the best to Paris. We have set up sleep pods as well.” Also on board are diet specialists, physios and other experts. Usha is also conscious of the fact that Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Neeraj Chopra is recovering from an injury. He must have access to the best facilities.
“As an athlete, I don’t want to put a number on the medals we will win,” she said. “I don’t want to put pressure on them. We will pray for that, the medals.”
Speaking on more women participating, a question asked by Majumdar, Usha said: “I am happy with it. More than 40 per cent women’s participation from India in Paris, I am so happy. In fact, the IOC wants more women.”
Talking about Sharath Kamal and PV Sindhu as flag-bearers, Usha said both were deserving. “This is Sharath’s fifth Olympics and Sindhu has competed and won medals in two Olympics,” stressed the IOA President.
“In 1984, I was close to the medal in Los Angeles,” she said. “We are hoping this Olympics will be our best.”
As for LA, Usha said it still haunts her – “It took time for the bronze slipping away to sink in.
“I came so close to the medal without any support staff. Today, our athletes have multiple experts and support staff. Nobody was expecting a medal from me, they were hoping for a medal from hockey in Los Angeles. It was only from the semi-final that people took note of me. I think in the final, the first hurdle I crossed I was slower according to my coach.”
In a way, she was replaying her final from 40 years ago. “I still can’t believe it,” she added.
More details are in the video interview, posted on Thursday.
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