India was never a serious contender at the Olympics for many years, except in Hockey. In fact, Sharad Joshi, a poet and humorist, had an act called Olympics, where he described Olympics as an event where Indian teams go, lose and get back. This was satire, but not too far off the mark. That was in the seventies or eighties.
Fortunately, we have a resurgent India, and we believe we can win. Some of our athletes have turned in performances that were world-class. Some won and some did not, but it's important that many came close, and some did win. I remember meeting P.T. Usha at Calicut, who had lost out on a medal by a fraction of a second. She started an academy for athletes, to train them for track and field events.
The government also has got its act together, and for many events, various official organisations now offer professional coaching or training, to prepare selected competitors over a few years. Mental preparation may also be a part of it. Sindhu produced two medals after many years of being at it, and ups and downs.
The self-belief is a major part of it, I think. All the best to the likes of Aditi Ashok (golfer who came fourth, but was second till day 3), Neeraj Chopra (Gold in Javelin), and all others who showed the way, and supported them. It can be done!
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