Before the medal event, Anju Bobby George had to sit outside the lab all night to give a dope test.

Before the medal event, Anju Bobby George had to sit outside the lab all night to give a dope test. Anju Bobby George said, If I had received facilities and support, I would not have missed the Olympic medal.

 

Anju Bobby George, who brought India its first medal in the World Athletics Championship, revealed that she had to sit outside the lab all night to give a dope test before that medal event. Anju won the bronze medal for India with a jump of 6.70 meters at the 2003 World Championships held in Paris.

 

Speaking about that medal at the age of 46, Anju said, 'When I won the bronze medal at the World Championships, there was not much support. I had to sit outside the lab all night to give a dope test before the event. The next day, I was not in a condition to participate in the competition. I could barely play. At that time, we were not in sports. There was no one in the system to support us.' Anju, vice president of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), spoke exclusively with Dainik Bhaskar during the 19th Inter-District Junior Athletics Meet in Ahmedabad.

 

Question: There are a few months left until the Paris Olympics; how many medals are you hoping for in athletics?

 

Answer: Athletics is quite tough. We have contenders for medals in many events, which gives hope for medals. Talking about the javelin, there are four throwers, including Neeraj, who are contenders for a medal. In long jump, there are two athletes who are in the race for a medal. Relay races and high jump also have hopes for a medal. The relay team is performing well at the world level. Besides athletics, there is hope for a medal in shooting, boxing, wrestling, and badminton at the Olympics.

 

Question: Are some athletes trapped in doping? Do coaches somewhere also get involved in this case? How can it be stopped?

 

Answer: Yes, some coaches are involved. They trap the athlete in the quagmire of doping for the sake of their name. Now we have launched an awareness program about doping at the junior level itself. A seminar on doping was conducted during the Inter-District Junior Athletics Meet held in Gujarat. Athletes are also informed about this at the camp. Athletics is taking strict steps to prevent doping. Such coaches are being identified who encourage athletes to dope. They are being banned by the Athletics Federation. Programs are also being conducted to raise awareness among coaches.

 

Question: India is a powerhouse in athletics in Asia, but we don't perform that well at the global level. How much time will it take to bridge this gap?

 

Answer: Currently, the government, various sports associations, and the Olympic Association are working together for the development of sports. Not only in athletics but also in other sports, work is going on and changes are coming. We are aiming for the 2036 Olympics. At that time, we will emerge as a powerhouse in sports.

 

Question: Last month you said that I played in the wrong era; if Anju Bobby George played today, would she have a chance at the Olympic medal?

 

Answer: Yes, there was no such facility in my time. I was the only one giving my best at the world level. We didn't have coaches with us at that time; I had to go to competitions alone. During that time, there was no one to support us in any way during the competition.

Under the Olympic podium scheme, athletes are getting support in every way. We are also in the system. No one can do wrong with our athletes in this way. The reason Neeraj is consistently improving is that he is getting support in every way. I can say with confidence that if I had received support in this way, I would not have missed the Olympic medal. Maybe in this era, I would have had Olympic medals and a different color of medals at the World Championships.

 

Question: After Anju Bobby George, no big star has emerged in long jump. Who do you see ahead? Who can perform well in multi-sport events?

 

Answer: It is essential to have talent to reach the next level, along with the guidance of a better coach. My coach was my husband, Bobby, who trained me. I didn't take any prohibited drugs. I had a natural talent. Many players have come forward in events like the javelin throw, including Neeraj, who has natural talent. It takes time for such talent to emerge.

 

Question: In cricket, parents know where to take the child to make them a cricketer. But if some parents want to make their child Anju Bobby George or Neeraj Chopra, they don't know where to go. What is the Athletics Federation doing? What is your suggestion to parents?

 

Answer: The problem right now is that we have a shortage of academies. Institutions, including the Reliance Foundation, are running academies for athletics, but there are limited seats there too. Yes, the Federation is running a talent search program. In this case, you can come with children. SAI (Sports Authority of India) is also working to nurture talents through the Khelo India Games.

My request to parents is not to put pressure on children who want to come into athletics. The Inter-District Junior Athletics Meet is a better platform for them. Events here are according to the physical abilities of the children. There is a kids javelin here. The skills of the children are identified here, and then they are made experts in what they can do better based on their physical abilities.