Paris Olympics: AFI President Adille Sumariwalla Urges Athletes To Deliver As They Are Getting All Support from Government

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The Paris 2024 Olympics is only a few days away and the Indian athletes are gearing up to put on their best show. The megaevent will begin on July 26 and go on until August 11, 2024.

India's best Olympics campaign came in the previous edition in Tokyo, where they bagged seven medals, which included four bronze, two silver and one gold. With the expectations high and preparations solid, India will hope to increase the medal tally and create history by scripting their best-ever campaign this time around.

Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics, Athletics Federation of India (AFI) President Adille Sumariwalla, in an interview with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), said that the Indian athletes have gotten all the support they need from the government. He acknowledged the unprecedented level of support being provided to Indian athletes.

"I think it is unprecedented what we are getting today. I can't really think of even three countries that are giving as much support as we are giving our athletes. I think it's time that our athletes realize that," Sumariwalla said.

However, he expressed concern that the comfort given might be hindering their hunger for success.

"I've been told by some of the foreign coaches that we are giving too much. We are taking away their hunger. You are not, you are in a very, very comfortable zone, if you are in a comfort zone. We are not challenging them enough. This is what some of the foreign coaches are telling us," he added.

He emphasised the need for athletes to recognize the investment being made and aim to deliver results in return.

"I think the athletes have to realize what we are getting, the amount of competition we are giving them, the amount of facility, the sports science support, the psychologists support, doctors support, recovery experts support," he said.

Sumariwalla believes this support is fostering a crucial shift in mentality.

"They're slowly getting to believe that...if we are getting something, we have to give something in return," he further added.

Recently in May 2024, the AFI also signed a multi-year deal with PUMA India. It will exclusively supply performance kits, speed suits and travel gear to every athlete under AFI representing India in track & field, jumps, throws, cross country running and marathons at both domestic and international tournaments.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) oversees a network of 32 state and institutional units. They are the driving force behind Indian athletics, organizing national championships across all age groups. They don't just identify talent, they nurture it too, training national athletes and selecting teams for prestigious international competitions.

But the AFI looks beyond the podium. They actively promote athletics through competitions at various levels, aiming to turn the sport into a popular and commercially attractive option for athletes. Their support extends to state units as well, providing guidance, organizing coaching programs, and launching initiatives to strengthen athletics at its core - the grassroots.

The AFI president acknowledged the government's competing priorities but expressed gratitude for their commitment to athletics. He warned, however, that sustained support hinges on athlete performance.

"How long will government continue to support you and you're not performing? Government has a lot of priorities, a lot of issues, whether it is health, whether it's water, whether it is roads, whatever. And in spite of that, government is giving you all the support," he concluded.

There will be hope that the athletes can replay the faith shown in them through all the support, with their performance at the upcoming Olympic Games.