Olympic Special: Anadi aur khiladi kam

For India nothing has changed. The Indian Olympic Association has ensured that like for every other Olympics, for the Beijing Olympics also, the Indian contingent comprises an equal number of players and 'tourists' and 'cheerleaders' in the garb of coaching and support staff.

99 members India is participating in the Beijing Olympics with a 99 member squad.

12 disciplines

Ironically, while the IOA is planning to bid for 2020 Olympics in Delhi, was able to confirm India's participation in only 12 disciplines out of the 28 sports and 312 events being held at Beijing.

Support staff

A number of support staff have made it to the Olympics team on government expenditure not because of their qualification but 'relation'. The tennis team topped the list in getting their moms and dads to on the flight to Beijing.

Mom is best

Sania Mirza may not be winning much in tennis but could win over the IOA members in getting her mother Nasim Mirza in the contingent as a manager.

Leander Paes' father Vece Paes is also a part of the team as a doctor.

However, deserving boxing coach Heath Mathews South African was inducted in the team it refused to go to China without him.

With the Hockey team even failing to make it to the Olympics, the medal hopes are being pinned on the weightlifters and the boxers but that is only for medals minus the gold.

Source: http://www.mid-day.com/news/2008/aug/080808del-news4.htm

We do love to play

KhaZan Singh, who won silver medal in 1986 Seoul Asian games expressed his optimism for the Indian Olympic team.

"The ethos of the Olympics is that participation matters more than winning and it stands true for every athlete. Every one performs his best but there are several factors behind winning a medal and most of them are beyond his control. But I am very hopeful that this time we will be able to win medals," he said.

The swimming team of the country comprises four swimmers in different categories. Rohit Gupta, who won Mr India title in year 2000 was dejected after the Indian weight lifting team got embroiled in the doping scandal.

"It was a good team but now all the members will have to suffer because of an allegation against a single sportsperson. But the Indian team this time is more hopeful of winning medals," he said.

Gupta is from the body building team of the Indian Railways and has won several other titles.

Source; http://www.mid-day.com/news/2008/aug/080808del-news2.htm