New Delhi: India performed it's best in the 2008 Beijing Olympics but will our attitude towards games other than cricket change as a consequence, is a question that many ask.
"Life will just go on,” said Abhinav Bindra after winning a Gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The reaction is perhaps a sad reflection of the state of sports in India.
A cricket crazy nation welcomed the Cricket champions when they won the 20-20 World Cup in an elaborate way, however, Abhinav Bindra, world's best 10-metres air rifle shooter had to settle for a much sober reception.
Cricketers manage to bag great endorsement deals and big entertainment shows, however, sportspersons other than cricketers have to tread the tough path.
Even the national sport, Hockey, receives step motherly treatment despite the fact that even Bollywood paid tribute to the game.
Meanwhile, Olympian wrestler Sushil Kumar had to sweat it out to get a bronze, so that the plight of the Indian wrestlers could reach us.
After winning one Gold and two Bronze medals, the sporting heroes may have found recognition but will they ever be as popular as Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Yuvraj or Harbhajan remains a doubt.
Our Olympians might have captured the imagination of the nation for now, they might have even inspired some to dream of attaining Olympic honour, but will the initial euphoria stay on or will these heroes fade away, like Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, the Olympian who made India proud in 1952 Helsinki Olympics.
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