Olympic Fever Is Not a Threat In Delhi

All of us here have been talking about the Olympics long before it even started. Indians as a whole don't really seem to have much of an eye on the event, nor do they really seem to have excitement for sport in general if it doesn't involve the word "cricket."

I have been noticing for weeks now the vast difference between athleticism here as compared to that in the US. Back home there is a strong sense for sport and competition in a rainbow of realms, being able to see people exercising virtually everywhere in every facet. In Colorado, especially, there is almost a new sport for every day of the month. It is sort of a fad really, with over-sized and overstocked stores supplying the latest in hi-tech gear to foster all of your tragically competitive needs as well as guaranteeing you at least look the part.

Virtually every day we travel to Siri Fort Sports Complex to go swimming. This complex is rather extravagant in that it features, not only an Olympic-sized pool for swimming, but also a range of other sports as well: golf, shooting, basketball, tennis, yoga, etc. This facility, however, as comprehensive as it is, still smells like Delhi and has many typical Indian rules. The elite few who are fortunate enough to gain membership here come to workout quite regularly. I can only speak for those in the pool, but swimming in India means something entirely different than it does in the States. All that I can say is it is no wonder that there are only 4 Indian swimmers competing in this year's Olympics.

So with that said, I suppose that I am not that surprised about the lack of enthusiasm here about the Olympics. Most of the people I have talked to don't plan on viewing at all, or ask what events they offer.

The 4 of us crowded on my bed to watch the Opening Ceremonies the other night and hooted and hollered for India as well as all of the countries who had less than a proper team's worth of athletes... we did this out of great pride for sport and fun, as well as for the commentary on uniforms the athletes displayed as they marched through in their country's honor.

(I learned from that experience that I will probably need to enroll in a World Geography course about once every 6 months when I get home.)

We are all trying with great desperation to bring the Olympic Fever to Delhi, perhaps it has a long incubation period though. Every day for the next 3 weeks we will continue to hoot and holler for swimming and cycling and gymnastics and football and basketball and perhaps boxing and--I suppose--archery (these being the sports most widely shown here).

Thank you DD Sports for being the only channel in Delhi to broadcast the whole thing and for consciously taking a monetary dive to do so for the sake of sport!!