MUMBAI: While India are officially in the running to bid for the Olympics in 2036, a development that has ignited excitement among Indians, a look at the country's performances in recent editions, however, begs an uncomfortable question. In its priority list, would a nation that's yet to achieve a double-digit Olympic medal tally be better off putting investment of its resources into talent development and improving its Olympic performances above a bid to host the world's biggest multi-sporting extravaganza?
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe is of the belief that hosting the Olympics could, in fact, be the ideal "vehicle" to reach those goals. "Forget whether it's India or any other country, any nation that has the ambition to stage Games should be welcomed. I'm a great believer that the biggest driver of interest, excitement and ultimately participation is the well-stocked shop window. There is no better vehicle for that than an Olympic Games," Coe said during a chat with TOI here on Wednesday.
