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Journalism of Courage
Anju Bobby George shrugged off pressure, lived up to expectations and became the first Indian to qualify for the final of an Olympic field event. She made it to the long jump final in her very first attempt, jumping 6.69 metres to make the grade, against the qualifying mark of 6.65 metres.
‘‘The whole idea was to qualify and I did it. Distance can come in the final,” she said after her jump. ‘‘Everything went according to plan. Now I have to prepare myself for the final on Friday.’’
‘‘She could have done better,” said Anju’s coach and husband Bobby. ‘‘But now that she’s qualified we have to go all out in the final.’’
On a windless night, in front of her friends and relatives and a tense Indian media, the Paris World Championship bronze medallist showed calm and poise. And didn’t appear in awe of the big names she was up against: Marion Jones, Eunice Barber, Irina Simagina and Grace Upshaw in her group.
