After a “well done but could have been better” campaign at the Olympics and a great one at the Paralympics, it is time to hit the road for Los Angeles 2028. It is never too early to start the preparations. After all the games are less than 4 years away!
Team India News
The medal winners have been on a felicitations tour (and well deserved). Except a certain Neeraj Chopra who is back on the circuit recording another season’s best throw at the Diamond League and qualified for the Diamon League Finals. The man is built different!
Sreeja Akula has reached a career high ranking of 22, which is the highest ever for an Indian Table Tennis player. Recent results and the Ultimate Table Tennis League do show that this is one sport which is about to jump into the limelight.
Retirements
- PR Sreejesh has retired from hockey and moving into a coaching role. Good to see Hockey India giving him a proper farewell and also retiring his No. 16 shirt.
- Vinesh Phogat has announced her retirement and now entering the political arena and fighting different battles. Let’s see what the future holds for the two-time world championship medalist.
- Archana Kamath has retired from Table Tennis at the age of 24 to pursue higher education. Throwing into light some of the harsh reality of the life of the sportspersons.
Others
For the sports followers of the Olympics sports – It is time to follow the other sports a bit more. Learning a bit more about the qualification process and the rules will help in tempering expectations and more importantly control the spread of misinformation. e.g., the videos circulating of men’s relay team qualifying for the Finals when the event itself had not started or the number of rumors and slanders being thrown when Vinesh was disqualified. And will definitely help in appreciating the simple fact that qualifying and competing against the world’s best is in itself a phenomenal achievement.
With social media and a number of streaming services, following the sports is not that difficult. I guess when one is expecting medals from the athletes, this tiny effort to support can be put in easily!
Personally, planning to be a bit more regular in this blog.
Till next time!
Links
- An Independence Day Letter for sports Fans - ESPN
- Archana Kamath retires: Hindustan Times
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