mid-day editorial: Be a sport, support our athletes

What could have prompted Shobhaa De to take a swipe at the Indian athletes even as they are in the midst of the Rio Olympics? Was it just desperation to grab a few eyeballs? The socialite had her talons out while tweeting about India's disappointing performance at the ongoing Rio Olympics: ‘Goal of Team India at the Olympics: Rio jao. Selfies lo. Khaali haat wapas aao. What a waste of money and opportunity'.

But the backlash to her remark may have proved to Shobhaa that she is not the only one with talons. Twitterati immediately went into ‘slam Shobhaa' mode. While athletes like Abhinav Bindra were restrained and said that Shobhaa had been unfair, others were not so charitable. Some trashed the reigning De-ity of the social set, stating that all she was good for was writing pornographic books. Others said that if there was a medal for scaring children, Shobhaa would be on the podium, without a doubt.

Perhaps this is Shobhaa's honest opinion. One cannot help feeling though, that her tweet was sweeping and undeserved.

Fans are bitterly disappointed, because hopes were very high after India fielded its biggest ever contingent at Rio. Maybe we were not realistic in our pre-Olympic assessment. Or, things have not gone as planned on the field, which is most probably the case. The archers, who always promise so much, have fallen short. Abhinav Bindra's miss has been heartbreaking. Yet, that is the nature of sports. We thought we were well over the days when Indian officials would call athletes to their cabins before the Olympics and ask: ‘Medal laoge?' (Will you bring a medal?) Apparently not.

To trash the Indian team when they still have a few disciplines to go, is disgusting. At a time when they are so far from home, trying to bring our country glory, what they need is our support. It's time we show that we can be good sports too, and give our athletes the support they deserve - win or lose.