Raj Bhavsar out, yet in

Raj Bhavsar will be going to Athens but not for what he8217;d had in mind. He was picked for the US gymnastics team 8212; though only as a...

Raj Bhavsar will be going to Athens but not for what he8217;d had in mind. He was picked for the US gymnastics team 8212; though only as an 8216;alternate8217;, losing the Roman Rings spot to his training mate, veteran Blaine Wilson. So Bhavsar actually participates only if someone gets injured.

Ironically the 30-year-old Wilson is making a comeback after a career-threatening injury in February, when he tore a tendon in his left bicep. He even rolled his ankle yesterday and missed the final events before the final two names for the US gymnastic team were announced.

News of his inclusion seemed to have surprised Wilson, who said he was happy at making the cut 8212; but sad to see his Ohio State mate missing out. He told The New York Times, in a voice which was reportedly wavering, that he had 8216;mixed emotions8217; after finding Raj8217;s name missing from the final list. 8216;8216;Basically, the way I see it, I took his spot. That8217;s kind of difficult to deal with.8217;8217;

The reaction in the Bhavsar family home in Houston was of deep disappointment. 8216;8216;It certainly is disappointing and Raj too sounded depressed when he called us to give the news,8217;8217; Raj8217;s mother Surekha told The Indian Express.

Wilson had failed to participate in the US Olympics trials last month but was invited to the national camp considering his status as a two-time Olympian and five-times national champion. Before the camp and the final screening Raj8217;s mother had told this paper that she wouldn8217;t want Raj to get an Olympic berth because of someone8217;s injury. 8216;8216;Wilson should get a chance to prove his worth and only if he competes it will be a fair trial,8217;8217; she had said.

For now Raj, his mother said, wouldn8217;t take any calls for at least a couple of days as Olympic dream hasn8217;t quite been achieved. Maybe after that he can take a leaf from Wilson8217;s book and his amazing comeback.

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More