Badminton

Ace badminton player Saina Nehwal's recent confession that she was unaware of javelin as an Olympic sport until Neeraj Chopra's gold medal victory in 2021 has sparked a debate about the limited knowledge of athletes outside their own disciplines.Nehwal's admission, made during an interview with journalist Shubhankar Mishra, highlights the intense focus and dedication required in professional sports, which often leaves little time for exploring other disciplines. "When Neeraj won, that is when I got to know about athletics has got this game too," she said. "You'll gain knowledge only when you see it, right? If you don't see, how will you know?"Nehwal's comments resonated with many athletes who acknowledged the challenges of staying abreast of other sports while pursuing their own. "It's not that you don't want to know, but you're so busy in your own field, how much time do you get deep into something else?" she explained. "If not you'll have to Google everything non-stop. If you're perfect in your own field, that's more than enough."However, Nehwal's remarks also drew criticism from some who questioned her lack of awareness about a major Olympic event. "Very surprising that a sportsperson of Saina Nehwal's calibre should feign ignorance about javelin event," said one user on social media.Despite the controversy, Nehwal's comments underscore the importance of specialization in elite sports. Athletes must dedicate countless hours to training, competition, and recovery, leaving little time for pursuing other interests. As a result, it is not uncommon for athletes to have limited knowledge of sports outside their own.Nehwal's experience also highlights the need for greater cross-promotion and awareness of different sports. By showcasing the achievements of athletes in various disciplines, sports organizations and media outlets can help broaden the knowledge of fans and athletes alike.

The Paris Olympics 2024 have been a rollercoaster of emotions for India, with both triumphs and disappointments. The Indian contingent has secured five medals so far, including four bronze and one silver. However, there have been some near misses and controversies that have left a bittersweet taste.One of the most heartbreaking moments came in the women's 50kg freestyle wrestling final, where Vinesh Phogat was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight. This shattered her hopes of a medal and left the Indian contingent in shock.Another disappointment came in badminton, where India's medal hopes were pinned on Lakshya Sen. However, he lost the bronze medal match, leaving India without a medal in the sport. This led to criticism from former badminton player Prakash Padukone, who called on the players to take responsibility for their losses.However, this statement sparked a debate, with some players criticizing Padukone for blaming Lakshya. Olympics Expert Tejaswin Shankar argued that coaches should also take responsibility for their players' performances.Despite these setbacks, India has had some notable successes. Neeraj Chopra won a silver medal in the men's javelin throw, becoming the first Indian to win an Olympic medal in athletics since 1900. The Indian women's hockey team also made history by reaching the semifinals for the first time.The Paris Olympics 2024 have been a testament to the resilience and determination of the Indian athletes. While there have been disappointments, there have also been moments of triumph. The Indian contingent will continue to strive for success in the remaining events, hoping to add to their medal tally and make the nation proud.