In the still, shallow and sparklefree waters of Indian athletics, Anju Bobby George has thrown a sizeable pebble. In a television interview, the long jumper has said she did not think P.T. Usha was a “world-class athlete” in her heyday, hinting obliquely that the “Payyoli Express” finished fourth in the 400 metre hurdles in the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 because of the boycott of the Games by athletes of the Eastern Bloc. “I am only looking to world-class athletes,” Anju said, when asked why she did not consider Usha as her idol. “Usha and Milkha Singh are only Asian level athletes.”
In response, Usha has said Anju was nobody to decide her credentials when the International Amateur Athletic Federation had selected her as one of the eight best athletes in the world in 1985 and 1986. “Anju is like a small child to me. I have seen her grow before my eyes. She has to grow further,” Usha said. “I do not want to hurt Anju now as that could hurt her preparations for the Beijing Olympics. India is expecting a medal from her.”
Questions: Is Anju Bobby George, the first Indian athlete to win a world championship medal (bronze), right to question the credentials of Usha, who missed an Olympic bronze by 1/100th of a second, and the “Flying Sikh”, who missed an Olympic bronze by 1/10th of a second? Or is she merely stating a fact? Despite her accomplishments, will Anju George ever capture the imagination of the Indian public like Usha and Milkha did? Will such one upmanship help Indian athletics, or push it down further? Or is this a sign of the times, when anything goes to make a bit of a noise?
It’s just a fact she’s stated and dont know in what context. Maybe the journo would have prompted her. She’s free to choose her idol.
Here is the tragedy – We are still stuck with the same “world-class athletes” who missed bronze medals by 1/100th and 1/10th of a second!
Probably, it’s time to raise our standards and that’s what Anju is probably doing!
For PT Usha: Truth hurts
For Anju George: 1. Let action speak than words. 2. Humility is a virtue.
Ours is always a story of the proverbial slip between the cup and the lip. Will Anju and Usha shut up please. They are just mile stones and we are proud of them for that. But don’t talk about world class until we get that elusive olympic medal!!
I guess VishwaManava said it all. We Indians have developed over the years of taking pride in mediocrity. We still believe in the spirit of “participation” and not in “winning”. That said, the influence of Usha cannot be doubted.
Anju Bobby george ?? acheivements as of date ??? Participating in a event with hardly any competitiors.How many atheletes participate in the Long JUMP 12 to 14 and finishing 4 th or 5 th is no BIG DEAL.
At least in the case of Hurdles there are the elimination rounds and only the fittest come into the top 4.
In reality there is an element of truth in what said by Ms Anju. It is a fact that in the olympic in which PTU lost bronze by 1/100 of a second no athlete from east that to from russia etc were not participated. It is also a fact that their main forte is athletics. So definitely it would have made a difference had these athletes are also participated. Let’s accept the reality. As regards the question asked by the TV channel people why such question need be asked in the 1st place? is it necessary that any female athlete from India should have PTU only as their role model? These journalists have their own way of making news out of no-news.
http://othersport.blogspot.com/2008/03/pt-usha-and-anju-have-cat-fight.html
There is little justification to say that PT Usha was not world class. At her peak, she could have been in the top five if not the top three athletes. And let us not forget that she participated in six or more events. Just check hers records on Wikipedia. This is not mediocre by any means. Comments like that are bound to hurt if they are made loosely. To Usha’s credit she has not reacted and ignored the comment. The fact is that we were and still are a poor country and till recently most athletes have had to struggle for lack of resources and even for the chance to participate in world events. So her achievements need to be viewed in that perspective.
Cliches like the one about people liking mediocrity may sound nice but it does not mean they are true.
I wonder when we will stop asking athletes on who was good or bad …its a classic trap by the journos to get some controversial statement
In the times of Milka and Usha there was not media coverage as it is now. So Anju is craving for the coverage!
I agree with Faldo. What is Anju’s achievement?
Anju’s 6.7m effort is the lowest jump that has won a medal in a World championship. Doesn’t this mean she too was lucky to participate in an year when the medal went for such a low mark.
If I miss the bus by just a second, does the amount of time matter?
Standards are standards. No grace marks here.
What is world class? Are only those who win a medal at a World Meet are World Class?