It's almost here. Just 12 more days to go for the biggest sporting extravaganza that man has created. For a sports buff like me, it doesn't get any bigger or better than this! The very spirit of the Olympics stands for achievement, for an unending passion to stand in front of the world as a representative of your country, the will to fight on in the times of the severest crises and come out victorious.
I remember returning back home as fast as I could from college the day of the opening ceremony of the last Olympics. That was 4 years ago. The memories from those Games still linger. The sight of Usain Bolt thumping his chest as he crossed the line, winning the 100 meters gold and with it creating a new world record is something I will never forget(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F14EaVEDyUs). The delight on the face of Michael Phelps as he won his 8th gold medal, creating a new world record for the most gold medals at the same Games. The roar of an entire nation as Abhinav Bindra grabbed the gold in the 10 meters Air Rifle event, becoming the first individual gold medalist from our country. The Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing, which played host to the event, was a sight to behold in itself. It was one of the most unique stadiums in Olympic history.
This time around, this sporting spectacle is being hosted by London, with Great Britain playing host to the world for 2 weeks. Excitement is already abuzz with the Games nearing its opening ceremony. All the controversy from the Dow Chemicals sponsorship, the organization responsible for the horrendous Bhopal gas tragedy, will be left behind as the world tunes in to stories of triumph and ultimate joy. Once again, swimming, gymnastics and athletics willbe the marquee events, with the men's 100 meters sprint drawing the biggest attention.
Indian interests lie in sports like archery, shooting, badminton, tennis, boxing, wrestling and perennially hockey. The Indians women's recurve archery team is ranked number 1 in the world and go into this Olympics with a lot of hopes riding on them. There's Vijender Singh, who as well as being the highest ranked boxer in his class, is also a defending Bronze medalist from Beijing. M.C. Mary Kom, a five time World Champion would be a firm favourite in the women's boxing event, the only new event this time around. Sushil Kumar, another Bronze medalist in Beijing, would be looking to live up to his top ranking in his wrestling weight class. Then there are a host of shooters looking to add to the tally of 2 medals won in the past 2 Olympics, one in Beijing and one in Athens in 2004. India's golden girl of badminton. Saina Nehwal would be looking to improve on her quarter final appearance last time around. All has not been well with the tennis team over the past month or so, but I hope they can leave their differences aside when they take to the courts representing our country. Indian hockey has left behind its glorious past, and it would probably be too much to expect any medal from them this time around. A good showing at the Games would do their confidence a world of good.
27th July, mark that date on your calendars, as athletes from more than 200 nations start to compete for the biggest prize in sport, an Olympic gold medal. Personally,I cannot wait for it to start.
I remember returning back home as fast as I could from college the day of the opening ceremony of the last Olympics. That was 4 years ago. The memories from those Games still linger. The sight of Usain Bolt thumping his chest as he crossed the line, winning the 100 meters gold and with it creating a new world record is something I will never forget(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F14EaVEDyUs). The delight on the face of Michael Phelps as he won his 8th gold medal, creating a new world record for the most gold medals at the same Games. The roar of an entire nation as Abhinav Bindra grabbed the gold in the 10 meters Air Rifle event, becoming the first individual gold medalist from our country. The Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing, which played host to the event, was a sight to behold in itself. It was one of the most unique stadiums in Olympic history.
This time around, this sporting spectacle is being hosted by London, with Great Britain playing host to the world for 2 weeks. Excitement is already abuzz with the Games nearing its opening ceremony. All the controversy from the Dow Chemicals sponsorship, the organization responsible for the horrendous Bhopal gas tragedy, will be left behind as the world tunes in to stories of triumph and ultimate joy. Once again, swimming, gymnastics and athletics willbe the marquee events, with the men's 100 meters sprint drawing the biggest attention.
Indian interests lie in sports like archery, shooting, badminton, tennis, boxing, wrestling and perennially hockey. The Indians women's recurve archery team is ranked number 1 in the world and go into this Olympics with a lot of hopes riding on them. There's Vijender Singh, who as well as being the highest ranked boxer in his class, is also a defending Bronze medalist from Beijing. M.C. Mary Kom, a five time World Champion would be a firm favourite in the women's boxing event, the only new event this time around. Sushil Kumar, another Bronze medalist in Beijing, would be looking to live up to his top ranking in his wrestling weight class. Then there are a host of shooters looking to add to the tally of 2 medals won in the past 2 Olympics, one in Beijing and one in Athens in 2004. India's golden girl of badminton. Saina Nehwal would be looking to improve on her quarter final appearance last time around. All has not been well with the tennis team over the past month or so, but I hope they can leave their differences aside when they take to the courts representing our country. Indian hockey has left behind its glorious past, and it would probably be too much to expect any medal from them this time around. A good showing at the Games would do their confidence a world of good.
27th July, mark that date on your calendars, as athletes from more than 200 nations start to compete for the biggest prize in sport, an Olympic gold medal. Personally,I cannot wait for it to start.
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