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Abstract
This paper deals with the impact of the Beijing Olympics on Indian sport. After winning her first ever individual gold medal in Beijing Indian sport appeared poised for take-off, if there was a fundamental systemic overhaul. Beijing, in other words, presented Indian sport with an unprecedented opportunity. This paper examines how Olympic sports became central to the Indian sporting imagination post-Beijing and what the country needs to create a sporting culture. It suggests that, unless a sporting culture is created, then Beijing will have proven to be a false dawn.
Notes
1 Nalin Mehta, ‘Smile, Sir Dorabji’, The Indian Express, August 12, 2008, 8.
2 For the astonishing expansion of Indian satellite television see CitationMehta, India on Television. For the massive expansion of the Indian newspaper industry and its ‘mass-ification’ see CitationJeffrey, India's Newspaper Revolution.
3 The two Indian states of Gujarat and Karnataka were rocked by serial bomb blasts in July 2008. Overall there were more than 20 instances of bomb blasts across India in 2008 alone.
4 Boria Majumdar, ‘Seize this Moment’, The Times of India, August 25, 2008.
5 India followed a policy of import substitution between 1947 and 1991, a phase known as the license permit Raj. Post-1991 has been a phase of liberalization of the Indian economy.
6 Quoted in Mehta, ‘Smile, Sir Dorabji’.
7 For the Chinese model of sporting success see, for instance, CitationHong, Mackay and Christensen, eds, China Gold.
8 It allows a lucky loser to come back after losing the first bout and still be in contention for a medal.
9 Faisal Sharif, ‘Indian Army Launches Operation Olympic Medal’, September 4, 2003. http://www.rediff.com/sports/2003/sep/04spec.htm.
10 Faisal Sharif, ‘Indian Army Launches Operation Olympic Medal’, Setpember 4, 2003. http://www.rediff.com/sports/2003/sep/04spec.htm
11 Col. Ajay Das, SC, Dir ALC, ADGPI. Email correspondence on February 21, 2008. I am grateful to Srinjoy Chowdhary for facilitating this data from the Army.
12 Sharif, ‘Indian Army Launches Operation Olympic Medal’.
13 Figures from directorate general, NCC, Ministry of Defence.