It's the Final Countdown




Some experiences hurt a lot but you learn a lot from them. Today was one of those days. The losses hurt & I felt an emotional connect with the athletes.

I was emotionally attached to this Olympics & like the atheletes, I will also learn & grow.


1. Hockey

Women's Ind v GB

My heart goes out to the girls. I couldn't bear to see them weeping. It is very easy for us to say 'It is ok that you did not win the medal but you won our hearts'. I am not debating that. But just imagine yourself in their shoes. I want you to think about their state of mind.

The women's team has played only 2 Olympics before this. They had disappeared off the radar in the last few yrs. Their qualification this year surprised people but nobody had any hope. Then they started on a losing note. Everyone said that was expected. Suddenly, the girls came all guns blazing & turned the tide to reach the semis for the 1st time ever! Abuses were hurled at them for the semis loss. They got a chance to play a medal match and lost by 1 goal to the defending Olympics champion, a team that has now won 3 consecutive Olympic medals! Just too close.

They don't even know if life will give them another chance to play at an Olympics.

The 'ifs' & 'buts' will rule their life till they win a medal. There is going to be a lot of tossing and turning.


It.will.sting.


It is time for us to be kind, not only to this team but to all our athletes who did not win a medal.


We should be responsible about the way we respond to this loss. Words of encouragement go a long way.

You and I don't even qualify to represent the country in any sport. They are there for a reason.


Time will heal and they will emerge stronger and wiser from this experience.


They have been special & might not realize the impact immediately. The biggest impact you can have in this world is when you can inspire the next generation.


And, that is what they have done.

We are proud of you ladies!


2. Wrestling


Bajrang Punia

Lost the semis to 3 time world champion and will play for the bronze tomorrow.


3. Golf

Aditi ashok

Exciting news is that Aditi moved up 1 level and is a clear 2nd after 3 rounds . She was tied on no.2 yesterday.

Now, the interesting part : tomorrow is the last round & 1,2 & 3 ranks will win medals. The weather forecast is bad for tomorrow & if play doesn't resume, Aditi will win silver!

How incredible!


4. Athletics

4x400m relay men : They finished 4th & narrowly missed a spot in the final but created a new Asian record! How good us that!


Sadly tomorrow is our last day at the Olympics.


And you know what? We have a chance to win 3 medals-golf, wrestling & athletics! Won't that be a fitting end to this beautiful games that got us all together!


I am already having withdrawal symptoms thinking about tomorrow being the last day & hope we finish with a bang!


Jai hind🇮🇳


#tokyo2020 #olympics #indiaatolympics #tokyoolympics2020

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Dhoni learning # 2 : The low-key ‘mystery’ leader

The tiger hunt!

The story of every Indian household at 630PM IST, thanks to the IPL!