NOWHERE NEAR TARGET

As the Paris Olympics comes to an end, six medals with the all-important gold missing is a reality check for a nation that's planning to bid for 2036 Olympics

- INDRANEEL DAS

SIFAN Hassan was sprinting towards the finish line of the marathon.

The Dutch runner won gold 5000m, 1000m and marathon would test any mortal's endurance but not hers. More than half an hour later, Bhutan's Kinzang Lhamo was walking, almost trudging, towards the same finish line (in front of the Grand Palais) through some of the most iconic places in Paris. She had been walking for more than two kilometres. Behind her were the escorts and beside her were the spectators egging her.

Billions were watching her on TV across the globe. At one level it may seem ridiculous but as an athlete one has to doff the hat, she was trying to finish. Olympics is a monumental stage where not many participate. It has that hallowed touch. It is also a perfect embodiment of Olympic spirit and Olympism: equal opportunity for all. It also cruelly reveals the difference between the best and the rest.

The medals tally reveals another story, in the descending order of sporting powerhouse.

If the USA (40 gold; 126 overall) and China (40 gold; 91 overall) are on the top, there are quite a few at the bottom. Among the 91 nations on the list, there are eight countries at the bottom with one bronze each. Twelve places above 84 is India (at 71).

Pakistan with one gold was seven spots above India. Considering there are more than 200 nations participating, finishing in the top 71 may look creditable.

But when it comes to an emerging nation like India that is planning to bid for the 2036 01ympics this doesn't augur well.

If winning medals at the Olympics was easy, then there would have been a million Olympic medallists. The aura an Olympic medallist exudes would be reduced to rubbles.

Hard-work and sacrifices would count to nothing.