PARIS: National record holder Avinash Sable, who settled for the 11th place in the men's 3000m steeplechase final, took a swipe at trolls and critics who are ridiculing Indian athletes and felt it will take time for the country's top stars to create a bigger impact on the world stage.
"There are some people who are posting messages on social media against our athletes. I felt bad reading them. The top athletes from our country are here and they are lampooned about their performances. I saw athletes sitting next to me, reading those and then they were going into depression. They are thinking how can you represent your country if you are ridiculed like this. Some people are saying our athletes are coming last among all these athletes competing here, but then we are competing against the world's best and trying hard," Sable said.
