mid-day editorial: Our Rio team needs our support

Sports minister Vijay Goel has now hinted that wrestler Narsingh Yadav's prospects of participating at the Rio Olympics are virtually over after he failed a dope test. However, he did add that the wrestler would be given a fair chance to defend himself

Sports minister Vijay Goel has now hinted that wrestler Narsingh Yadav's prospects of participating at the Rio Olympics are virtually over after he failed a dope test. However, he did add that the wrestler would be given a fair chance to defend himself.

Narsingh was selected ahead of two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar, creating huge controversy. Now it seems India will be represented by 119 athletes in Rio, instead of 120, though, of course.

Predictably, this has thrown a huge shadow over India just days before our athletes take the plane to Rio. Accusations, theories and counter-accusations are flying. But above all, there is a sense of shame. The Narsingh case has taken some of the sheen off of India’s prospects at the Games. Expectations were high, given we are fielding so many athletes, but when something like this erupts just as the Games are to start, it punctures the optimism.

Now that the Narsingh problem has erupted, it needs to be handled with dignity and transparency by the authorities. Officials must remember that the athletes need to be settled mentally to be in top class mode and ready to fire on all cylinders. Screaming about conspiracies, blame games, pointing fingers and muck-raking will be huge distractions that will be detrimental to the entire squad.

One can understand that news will spread in a world where social media and instant reactions rule. Yet, within the top echelons of our sporting administration, we need to see sanity, restraint and, most importantly, dignity when handling the problem. Do not make wild statements for publicity, and avoid cleaving the team into factions based on regions or states at this juncture. The effect of this will be pan-India and not confined to one particular area or athlete.

At this juncture, we need a smooth passage to Rio, with as less turmoil as possible. Our ministers need to keep that in mind. Responsible statements and actions should now be our run-up to Rio.

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