Why Doesn't India Have Greater Representation At The Olympic Games?

Question

My personal opinion is that India emphasizes education and business much more than they do athletics. Either that, or they've run out of room for athletes to "play." What do you guys think?

Answer 1

India and China are both billionairs in population, however, over 60% people of India are still living in un modernised way while China is almost 80% industralised, plus Chinese also spend a great deal of money on their sports as they consider its a reflection of a nation's comprehensive power. Dispite its rapid growth, but regretably Indian government spends most of their money on their military, they alreay have the largest navy in Asia and second largest army in the world and still expanding, that is mostly due to regional conflict between India and Pakistan, and I don't think we can see a really competative Indian sports team any time sooner

Answer 2

Great question. They have a billion people and yet something like 59 athletes. You are right in saying that people in India have emphasized education more, but that is changing gradually. However, as a person who is of Indian heritage, I must add that the infrastructure is terrible and the government - especially the bureaucracy - is also inefficient. Also, Indians love athletics, but the problem is that most of the population is vegetarian since they are Hindu. There is nothing wrong with vegetarianism, but when you are an athlete you need a lot of protein like chicken and beef, and eggs are simply not going to cut it. In addition, most Indians are not built for sports, i.e. most are short. However, the success of Raj Bhavsar shows that Indian people are capable of participating in sports like gymnastics, so the problem must be with the Indian sports organizations itself. OT, I would really love to see India host an Olympics in the future, but it seems impossible right now.  

Answer 3

they prob don't have the the facilites or money invested into the programs.  Its a positve thing for them that they put education first for now because that is what can develope thieu economy :)

similar situation in canada... :S