Sushil Kumar has proved that he is the best sporting personality we have, after showing progress by getting a silver medal after a bronze in 2008; there was also a progress made in wrestling, as Yogeshwar Dutt clinched a bronze after having to make do with a walk out in the quarter-finals last season. Even the women, Saina Nehwal and Mary Kom, proved themselves by bagging a bronze in their respective events. But just in case you are not satisfied with India’s performance, at the Olympics, here is why you should reconsider.

Refresh yourselves with the history of the Modern Olympics; and one important point will get polished to clarity i.e., academics, competitive sports and the Modern Olympics had their histories written together. So, when our media attempts to bend our heads low, with spiritless allegation of non-gold achievements; it would be worthwhile to remind them that we are satisfied, because remaining at the bottom, in any sporting event, would be inevitable until academics and competitive sports are united.

In some foreign countries, the governments tend to jump the band-wagon; emphasizing on two hours of physical education in curriculum. Many however, do not have physical education facilities or specialists that are necessary to make competitive sports a reality for students; pushing games to after school hours; whereas, we do not even have flushable bathroom facilities in our schools. Hence, to witness an improvement in 2012 is just asking for too much.

Gagan Narang opened the doors of hope with his bronze achievement and Abhinav Bindra with his gold in 2008; we might have got carried away. Yet watching Vijay Kumar was a refreshing experience, as he went on to claim a medal in the rapid fire pistol event; and Joydeep Karmakar, with no formidable rank, was brilliant as he finished fourth in the rifle event.

In tennis, Paes was not able to add to his earlier accomplishments, but Vishnu certainly rose to the occasion. Similarly, Rohan Bopanna, who played with Bhupathi was focused enough not to drop a serve. Ace badminton player, Parupalli Kashyap showed great heart in his games and held his own, despite falling short in the quarter finals. Archery may not have met our overzealous expectations but that doesn’t take away from the fact that Deepika Kumari is an 18 year old prodigy. We must also take notice of the athletes, Krishna Poonia and Vikas Gowda who finished seventh and eighth, in the discus throw event, and walker K.T. Irfan who finished 10th.

There were great failures and small ones but there were heroes; our heroes. Stay Proud, Stay Raw.