China on track: Work in progress

China has focussed on sports in which there are multiple events and that in-turn increased their chances of winning gold 33 in diving,28 in gymnastics and 21 in shooting. They have also maintained dominance in their traditional strengths badminton 16 gold and table tennis 24.

However,the Chinese have been unable to replicate their gold haul in athletics,which has over 42 events at the Olympics. Overall,they have won just six gold. Though China is making progress in track and field,three of their six Olympic gold have come in the walk event,including that of Chen Ding8217;s 20 kilometre men8217;s walk at London.

Track and field is perhaps the most difficult discipline to achieve collective team success in consistently,because events require not only a completely different set of techniques but also varied physical attributes strength,height,flexibility,speed and endurance.

At Pune,a few of China8217;s torchbearers for the next generation have been identified. Gold medals in the men8217;s long jump and the pole vault,the men8217;s and women8217;s sprint events,the men8217;s hurdles,the women8217;s discuss and the women8217;s 400 metres have been won by Under-22 athletes.

Those tipped to be future women stars won the hammer throw,pole vault and javelin. But success of these budding athletes will count only if they carry it forward to the World Championships and the Olympics in 2016.

Nihal is senior assistant editor based in New Delhi

nihal.koshieexpressindia.com