2048 New Delhi needs Olympian effort

It is wise to plan ahead sometimes, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi setting its sights on a point well over the horizon in terms of sports prowess should not be taken lightly. Of course, much water will flow down the Yamuna — presuming it survives the next few decades — before crunch time to decide whether to throw its hat in the ring for the 2048 Summer Olympic Games. But the ground(s) have to be prepared in advance for an event of this scale, in terms of infrastructure and performances, which needs a well-coordinated relay race between state and central governments to construct new stadia in anticipation of the Olympics, instead of the usual last-minute 100-m (slap)dash.

But which dispensation willingly passes the baton? Medal prospects must also be boosted. Preparations are said to have begun in 1985 for China to come up with its stellar performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where it bagged the most gold medals (48), although it came second in the overall tally at 100 to the US’ 112. India came 51st that year with three. As host nation, Brazil got a creditable 19 medals, including seven golds, at the 2016 Rio Olympics; India had a two-medal haul there from a 117-strong squad, placing 67th out of 86. At least AAP has provided an optimistic 27 years’ lead time to improve upon that tally.