We aren’t talking about training, nope. Not even dieting or endless hours in the gym. Those things are obvious. We are talking about challenges created by those these athletes represent. The challenges that are born out of bigotry and selfishness. Here are some of them:
1. Casteist abuse directed at you and your family members if you fail to win.
This recently happened to India Hockey forward Vandana Katariya, who was part of the squad that qualified for the historic semifinal at the Olympics, a first for the women’s team. Following the defeat in the semis against Argentina, a group of men burst crackers outside her house in Haridwar and said that India lost because it has “too many Dalit players”.
This is what our athletes get for representing us.
Reality of India for those seeking to deny caste identity. “Upper caste” men abuse women’s hockey team member shouting “too many Dalit players”. #DalitLivesMatter #womenshockey pic.twitter.com/sK8YJXlBlk
— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) August 5, 2021
1/3 Hello all! 🙏
— Vandana Katariya (@VandanKatariya) August 6, 2021
My family and I are going through a very tough time. Thanks to everyone for support.
It’s a humble request to some people to not increase my troubles.
I am seeing people making my fake accounts and sharing tweets from them ON MY BEHALF. pic.twitter.com/cSjRUySgpx
2. The (not so) casual sexism and unfair comparisons that demean all women.
Imagine winning medals for the country only to be pitched against other women, who are also merely doing their jobs. This kind of mentality is very deep-rooted and creates illogocal, unnecessary competition. In short, nothing about it makes sense and everything about it is offensive.
Promote real women empowerment 🙏🏻🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/4eS74SWTSq
— Pradeep Tanwar (@ipradeeptanwar) July 30, 2021
And then, of course, there are narratives that reduce women to how ‘suitable’ they are for marriage.
If she can do both, she isn’t likely to marry you. pic.twitter.com/7SpI7QDAqD
— Rani Chandravati (@RaniChandravati) July 25, 2021
3. Incessant trolling in case of a defeat. A classic.
One mistake and there you are, a subject for trolls who become experts the second an athlete loses. 19-year-old shooters Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary were at the receiving end of this and it is something that should put us all to shame.
Manu Bhaker in World greatest shooters with No. 1 world Ranking. pic.twitter.com/x0rYVMMXp7
— Anshuman (@Anshuman84m2) July 25, 2021
Apparently these shooters and their coaches have guzzled 1100 crores between them in last 4 years as per today’s TOI.
— DalitBoy (@subcontinentie) July 28, 2021
4. Politicians hogging the limelight to cash in your success for their own benefit.
There are multiple examples of politicians putting their photos on posters that are supposed to be for athletes. Here, have a look.
I’m a bit confused about the photograph and gender of @LovlinaBorgohai.
— Rakib रकीब رقيب (@salafi_rakibul) July 24, 2021
Could Assam CM @himantabiswa and sports minister @BimalBorahbjp explain who they are promoting?
Any idea who designed these?
I&PR minister @Pijush_hazarika may find out.#LovlinaBorgohain #Olympics pic.twitter.com/oOfTIZCru6
Chanu’s photo is appropriately sized for a silver medalist. Modi, of course, won the gold medal and hence got the bigger billing. pic.twitter.com/WBZH0tB8Rg
— Abhishek Baxi (@baxiabhishek) July 27, 2021
5. People in a position of making and changing opinions, giving credit to politicians for your accomplishments.
I am talking about Navika Kumar who thought it fit to credit Anurag Thakur for the medals our hardworking athletes have won.
Aapke aa jaane se ♥️ #Tokyo2020 #BholiAurGoli pic.twitter.com/O0ymJyM6BL
— Rofl Gandhi 2.0 🏹🚜 (@RoflGandhi_) August 2, 2021
People representing India deserve better than this, don’t you think?