New Delhi: The Sports Authority of India has not spared athletes in its review of the debacle at the recent Rio Olympic Games .
The report prepared by SAI director-general Injeti Srinivas has stated out that “some athletes showed physical fitness issues, which is a matter of concern and reflects on inadequate monitoring”. He did not name anyone.
Star shuttler Saina Nehwal was not 100 per cent fit due to a knee injury which required surgery. Discus thrower Vikas Gowda, who passed a fitness test just before the Games, blamed a knee injury for his performance. According to reports, wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, archer Deepika Kumari and some players of the hockey team were carrying injuries.
It said that athletes “performed below par in terms of personal best, which again is a matter of concern.”
It suggested a three-pronged strategy, including a through evaluation of coaches, for an improved performance in the 2020 Tokyo Games. He highlighted the near misses in shooting (Abhinav Bindra) and gymnastics (Dipa Karma-kar) and the tough draws in boxing.
