The heartbeat of the entire nation stopped momentarily at midnight as we entered our Independence Day when the results of women’s vault finals flashed on the television screens which showed Dipa Karmakar in the 4th position. However, Dipa won the hearts of over a billion people with a brilliant performance which sadly did not win her a medal. It was an incredible leap and somersault from the tiny gymnast who unfortunately lost vital points on her landing which was little off mark from the other competitors but the entire nation including Shobhaa De would have been proud of this effort.
Winning is all that counts at the Olympics but failure is the stepping stone to success and Dipa Karmakar has it in her to win a medal at the next Olympics. She should begin preparations for that effort from today itself as such is the training required to win medals at the games. Our government should encourage this gymnast with all the facilities and coaching required apart from sending her abroad for international exposure and experience.
Dipa Karmakar did not win a medal but is the true ‘find’ of this Olympics as far as India is concerned and here is wishing her all the success in the days and years to come. Gymnastics in India would take a leap after this effort from Dipa and let us all hope our nation would produce many more like her to make an impact in future Olympics!
S.N. Kabra
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
