India for the past 100 years has not produced a single Olympic medal in athletics. For a nation with a 1.3 billion population, this could be termed a miracle. There are several raw talents in India but were not nurtured properly due to various reasons. But in the recent past things have changed with a good number of foreign coaches being roped in and good changes in the infrastructure.
Events.
Many countries produce athletes is because of strong grassroots which was seen as lacking in India. India has now recognized it and started conducting events recently. The Khelo India youth games are a revelation to say producing quality athletes to compete with each other and get accustomed to the pressure they face going for world events.
Khelo India University games according to me are very important as players from here shine and represent a larger part of athletes. Countries like the USA produce athletes who take part rigorously in the University games from where they represent their respective countries. Such has been the competition abroad. Slowly India too got to know its importance and inaugurated the University games.
Infrastructure and Monetization
With the formation of private entities coming up infrastructure has risen rapidly. JSW sports has its training base in Karnataka where athletes like Neeraj Chopra, Sreeshankar Murali have practiced. Not only that there are many organizations such as OGQ(Olympic gold quest) and VKF(Virat Kohli Foundation) who are supporting many Olympic athletes to practice abroad and get foreign exposure.
Each athlete who qualifies for the Olympics is given more than 50 lakhs per annum every year apart from the salary and sponsorship they receive. Along with this around 17 Khelo India Excellent centers have been set up to give world-class facilities from a young age. There is NIS Patiala along with SAI centers where players wish to choose where they want to practice giving them a wider range for practice.
Javelin.
India for the 1st time will field 2 Indian Javelin throwers in its Olympic history. Neeraj Chopra looks the best bet to get India its 1st medal in Javelin. He is the reigning Asian Games champion and current National record holder. Having had success in the recent Olympics might prove who he is as he would be against the world's best like Vetter and Rohler both from Germany. They both have thrown more than 90m which Neeraj has never. With age on his side, he can still achieve more if not this year.
Long Jump.
Sreesankar Murali is the name many would have heard if we hear the event Long jump. Not many would have fancied India to occupy a spot in Tokyo. Such was his performance in the federation cup held in March. Not only did he qualify for the Olympics he holds the national record with a jump of 8.26m. Not many Indians are still capable of crossing the 8m mark. This performance will now boost many long jumpers to get motivated and take it up.
Steeplechase.
Avinash Sable is the first Indian to qualify for the Steeplechase event with national record timing under 8.20 minutes. Every year he has been reducing approximately 3 sec. Although this Olympics looks tough for him to get a medal in the long run this experience would help him reach the desired destination.
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