Tough road ahead for Indian athletes at London Olympics, feels Anju

Mumbai: Former Indian Olympian Anju Bobby George has predicted a tough road ahead for the Indian athletic contingent which starts at the London Olympics later this month.

"An Olympic medal is the biggest reward for any athlete. Realistically I don't think that we have any medal chances in athletics unless some miracle takes place. I do not want to demoralise the Indian athletes, but they still have some more time to match the best in the world," George told MiD DAY on Friday.

The 35-year-old, who has represented India in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, failed to make the qualify for London Games after she injured her neck at a practice session just before the last qualifying events in Europe last month.

Anju who has been a prolific for India considers herself unfortunate as far as Olympics is concerned.
"In 2000 Sydney I qualified but pulled out due to an injury. In 2004 Athens I had fever so couldn't win a medal. 2008 Beijing I failed to qualify for the women's long jump event fouling in all my three attempts after my ankle injury resurfaced. And 2012 I couldn't even make it to the London Games," George added.