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VOL. 28, NO. 02, August 29 , 2008 (Bhadra 13 2065 B.S.)
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Nepal's Effort
Disturbed by politically motivated actions, Nepalese athletes had
faced uncertainty even over their participation let alone aiming to
achieve any medal
By A CORRESPONDENT
For eight Nepali athletes and officials, returning to the country
after taking part in the Beijing Olympics itself became a matter of
pride.
Politically motivated groups led by former president of Nepal Olympics
Committee Rukma Sumsher J.B.Rana had made every effort to stop
Nepalese delegation from taking part in the Beijing Olympics.
After International Olympic Committee's decision to back the present
Nepal Olympic Committee led by Dhruba Bahadur Pradhan, Rana's group
organized demonstration at Tribhuwan International Airport and made
every effort to stop the delegation from going to Beijing.
Despite all these anti-national activities and discouraging trends,
Nepal's Olympic squad, though it was dominated by officials, had taken
part in the Beijing Olympic participating at the inaugural and closing
ceremony program.
First elected president Dr. Ram Baran Yadav's last minute decision to
cancel his visit to attend inaugural ceremony had sent a chilling
message to Nepal's northern neighbor. But the newly elected prime
minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda turned the course by accepting
the invitation of Chinese Olympic Committee to take part as a guest in
closing ceremony.
Four male and four female athletes had represented Nepal. Among them
two each took part in athletics and swimming, one each in taekwon do,
judo, shooting and weightlifting.
The performance of all the players was dismal except weightlifter
Kamal Bahadur Adhikari who broke his previous national record.
Marathon runner Arjun Kumar Basnet completed the Marathon in 2:23:09. Out of
76 athletes who completed the race, Basnet finished 45th.
Swimmers Karishma Karki and Prasiddha Jung Shah just bettered their
personal marks. The Judoka Devu Thapa survived just 22 seconds.
One hundred meter runner Chandra Kala also failed to improve her
position. At a time when even the country like India with such a high
economic growth has won just one gold and two bronze medals and all
other south Asian country except Afghanistan returned with empty hand,
it was virtually beyond imagination for Nepalese players to make real
difference.
Passing through an unstable political situation, the country has done
virtually nominal preparation for Beijing Olympics. Divided on the
political affiliation, there was no one to cheer the players and
encourage them to do their best.
Nepal has been taking part in Olympics since Tokyo Olympics in 1964
but it has not won any medal yet. Unlike in the past, when Nepal
usually sent a small squad, the situation has changed now as there are
a handful of athletes taking part in different disciplines, which for
a small country, is itself a prize.
"We were unable to concentrate our efforts to prepare our athletes.
After sudden registration of new Nepal Olympic Committee by
Congress-backed home minister, our participation was virtually
suspended. The government had done everything to stop our delegation.
Then government issued a letter to withhold our account and
everything. The
whole mission was to stop Nepal's participation," said Sitaram Maskey,
vice president of Nepal Olympic Committee and Sports Council. "We are
proud to say that we were able to put our squad together in Beijing."
Mired by political controversy, Nepal's sports bodies are divided on
the basis of political ideology. There is a tendency to completely
change guard in Sport Council and sports institutions whenever there
is a change of government.
Every one claims that they want to make the sports sector free from
political interference but everybody loves to interfere in sports.
This is the reason why there are always disputes and controversies on
the issues of leading international committees and leading the squad.
Curtain Down
Despite initial phase of politically motivated moves to disrupt the
Beijing Olympics 2008, China has successfully held the game showing
its economic might to the world
By A CORRESPONDENT
Although Tibetans living in exile in various parts of the world were
made to make every efforts till last minute to discredit the Beijing
Olympics, China has successfully organized the game showing to the
world its all round development and economic miracle.
Chinese have shown that if a country has determination and will, there
is nothing impossible for it. Organizing the best Olympic Games in its
history, they have shown Chinese people's determinations.
As soon as Olympic Torch Rally began from Athens, Tibetans living in
exile had launched massive campaign to disrupt the torch rally
wherever possible. From Indian capital New Delhi to many European
capitals including Kathmandu, there were almost daily demonstrations.
However, the Chinese torch rally completed its tour giving message to
the world about the peaceful rise of China.
When the world witnessed the sports gala demonstrated at the inaugural
and closing ceremony in Beijing, the people forgot such issues as they
were captivated by the display of artistry and technology.
One of the most important features of Beijing Olympics was the rise of
China as the number one sports power house. Chinese athletes have
shown their strength in all the sports discipline from the very
beginning.
Chinese showed their presence in all the competitions. International
Olympic Committee chief Jacques Rogge described the games as truly
exceptional in a lavish closing ceremony at the Bird's Nest Stadium,
which culminated in the handing over of the Olympic flag to Boris
Johnson, the mayor of London which will host the 2012
edition.
China not only topped the gold medal count but a near flawless
organization meant the controversies that marred the build-up largely
slipped into the background.
United States won the largest number of medals but China secured
highest number of gold medals and, thus, stood first. With the
investment of more than 40 billion dollars on the games, China reaped
handsome reward.
More than 40 world records and 100 Olympic records were set. It also
gave birth to two icons - Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt. Phelps, with
his unprecedented eight gold medals and seven world records, and Bolt,
the fastest man of the earth winning three gold medals with three
world records made the headlines stories.
Whatever happened, the Beijing Olympic Games will be remembered in the
history as one of the best and well organized games.
