“Events like the Tata Consultancy Services World 10K Bangalore are the perfect platforms to generate interest towards athletics and I would encourage all Indians to ensure that their children play some kind of sport,” said Linford Christie, the 1992 Olympics 100 m gold medallist and the international event ambassador of the event at the Meet & Greet session at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, here, on Thursday.
“Every sport needs heroes to grow and develop and it won’t be long before such events help inspire a new generation of athletes which will throw up a new hero,” said Christie.
After arriving at the stadium in a BMW motorcade in the company of the elite athletes and Bollywood actor and sportsman Rahul Bose, Christie, on his second visit to the country, said he was impressed with the manner in which the running movement has caught up in the country. He made particular mention of Ram Singh Yadav, the marathoner who has qualified for the London Olympics after a gap of 32 years, and achieved the qualifying mark at the Mumbai Marathon.
“Sport is fun, sport is healthy and sport makes you a better human being,” said Christie as he watched the scores of young athletes being put through their paces at the Kantterava Stadium.
The Jamaican born Christie gave the example of his small country of birth that has thrown up so many world beaters. “Jamaica is a very tiny country as compared to India and there is huge potential here. It only needs to be identified and nurtured, said Christie.
On his own athletic career, Christie said the victory at the World Championships was his most cherished moment of success, because it had come after a great deal of effort. “It was a tough time for me to continue with my high intensity training after winning the Olympic gold, but I am glad I persisted and gained success. That was the most satisfying part of my career.
The inevitable question about Usain Bolt was met with a straight-faced answer, “he’s fast.” He predicted that the 100m final would be a Jamaican affair, because Tyson Gay had not given indications of the form he currently is in. On the new foul start rule, which saw Bolt disqualified from the World Championships, Christie said he felt it was detrimental to sprinters. “It takes away the explosive starts that are such an important part of sprints. Now the athletes are just waiting back for the starter’s pistol to go before they launch from the blocks. I am against it,” said Christie.
