porting Events
Vellore organized a marathon two weeks ago.
“Are you running?” some patients asked me.
“No.” I said. The main reason was that it is a small town and I did not feel like running through the center of it!
I saw the race as I was driving to work through narrow roads packed with vehicular morning traffic. The runners started two hours late, they were weaving in and out of the traffic dangerously, no water was provided and no police presence. Many hailed autos or passing two wheelers and got lifts. A fiasco!
I think this is what happens because we do not respect sports or sportspeople.
I read some articles where the marathon runner from India said that drinking water was not provided by the authorities. I can believe it. My heart goes out to her. The state of our sports organization is in shambles. The truth can possibly be verified from camera footage. Team India’s doctor was a well connected radiologist. I don’t know if they had a physiotherapist.
In the Masters aquatic meet held in August in Chennai, one had to salute the spirit of the 72 year old who leaped off the high diving board. (I was scared even to look down).
Another 84 year old took off his clothes, informed the time keepers and dived into lane zero. Shortly after, an agitated young woman arrived with disheveled hair and in a nightie. She ran alongside shouting “get out get out.”
The referee went up to her and said “what is happening?”
“I am his daughter in law “ she said , “I am in charge of him, he had by pass surgery two weeks ago---“
The old man (still swimming) stuck his head out of the water, ”I’d rather die in the water than lie down at home.”
Since he was the only one in his category, needless to say, he got all the medals.
One enthusiastic 36 year old dived in for the 50 meters freestyle. He surfaced after a long time and then proceeded to flounder in the middle of his lane. A superfast ex-army swimmer finished the race.
“Quick,” said the referee, ”go and pull him out , he seems to be drowning—“
The man and another swimmers cut lanes and pulled him out. There was no lifeguard.
“Are there any doctors here?” announced the loudspeaker.
I looked around and then stepped forward. I was happy to see a grey haired physician also stepping forward.
“I hope you figure out what is wrong, “ said the white haired gentleman, “I am a PhD in biochemistry.”
The man had nystagmus so I managed to give him vertin.
“You better go home after you feel a bit better, and see your regular doctor.”
An hour later, he felt so much better, that he took part in 100 meters freestyle and the relay. I felt so nervous that I watched him like a hawk.
Apparently with all the older swimmers and octogenarians diving and swimming, they had not bothered with a duty doctor.
In my relay team, we had an elderly woman, who disappeared just as the race was announced. One of the younger members of the team went to the changing room and found her stuck in her clothes. She had a three piece swimsuit with shorts, a regular suit and a skirt (not a burkini). She had managed to get tangled up in the whole thing! The other woman extricated her, while I pleaded with the time keeper,
“five minutes, please, she will be here—“
She was to start the relay with backstroke.
“How can I get in?” she asked.
The time keeper looked at her “ Jump in!”
“I can’t” she said.
Further delay while she went to the end climbed down the ladder and came to the lane.
The timer blew the whistle and she took off freestyle.
“Back stroke “ shouted the timer, “she has to do back stroke! I will disqualify your team.”
I shouted “back stroke , back stroke “ at her.
She obviously could not hear. Her cap covered her ears and was tied under her chin. She switched to breast stroke midway.
Since we were coming last any way thanks to her antics and slow pace he allowed us to continue.
I entered for 50X4 Individual Medley. I am rather slow, (even though I got the gold). I saw my timekeeper disappear for a 2 minute break, have a cup of tea and return. Needless to say, I was still swimming-----.
It was good fun, I got two gold medals, three silver medals, my daughter (now old enough to be a master’s swimmer) got two gold and two silver, and we both qualified to represent Tamil Nadu at the Nationals.
Vellore organized a marathon two weeks ago.
“Are you running?” some patients asked me.
“No.” I said. The main reason was that it is a small town and I did not feel like running through the center of it!
I saw the race as I was driving to work through narrow roads packed with vehicular morning traffic. The runners started two hours late, they were weaving in and out of the traffic dangerously, no water was provided and no police presence. Many hailed autos or passing two wheelers and got lifts. A fiasco!
I think this is what happens because we do not respect sports or sportspeople.
I read some articles where the marathon runner from India said that drinking water was not provided by the authorities. I can believe it. My heart goes out to her. The state of our sports organization is in shambles. The truth can possibly be verified from camera footage. Team India’s doctor was a well connected radiologist. I don’t know if they had a physiotherapist.
In the Masters aquatic meet held in August in Chennai, one had to salute the spirit of the 72 year old who leaped off the high diving board. (I was scared even to look down).
Another 84 year old took off his clothes, informed the time keepers and dived into lane zero. Shortly after, an agitated young woman arrived with disheveled hair and in a nightie. She ran alongside shouting “get out get out.”
The referee went up to her and said “what is happening?”
“I am his daughter in law “ she said , “I am in charge of him, he had by pass surgery two weeks ago---“
The old man (still swimming) stuck his head out of the water, ”I’d rather die in the water than lie down at home.”
Since he was the only one in his category, needless to say, he got all the medals.
One enthusiastic 36 year old dived in for the 50 meters freestyle. He surfaced after a long time and then proceeded to flounder in the middle of his lane. A superfast ex-army swimmer finished the race.
“Quick,” said the referee, ”go and pull him out , he seems to be drowning—“
The man and another swimmers cut lanes and pulled him out. There was no lifeguard.
“Are there any doctors here?” announced the loudspeaker.
I looked around and then stepped forward. I was happy to see a grey haired physician also stepping forward.
“I hope you figure out what is wrong, “ said the white haired gentleman, “I am a PhD in biochemistry.”
The man had nystagmus so I managed to give him vertin.
“You better go home after you feel a bit better, and see your regular doctor.”
An hour later, he felt so much better, that he took part in 100 meters freestyle and the relay. I felt so nervous that I watched him like a hawk.
Apparently with all the older swimmers and octogenarians diving and swimming, they had not bothered with a duty doctor.
In my relay team, we had an elderly woman, who disappeared just as the race was announced. One of the younger members of the team went to the changing room and found her stuck in her clothes. She had a three piece swimsuit with shorts, a regular suit and a skirt (not a burkini). She had managed to get tangled up in the whole thing! The other woman extricated her, while I pleaded with the time keeper,
“five minutes, please, she will be here—“
She was to start the relay with backstroke.
“How can I get in?” she asked.
The time keeper looked at her “ Jump in!”
“I can’t” she said.
Further delay while she went to the end climbed down the ladder and came to the lane.
The timer blew the whistle and she took off freestyle.
“Back stroke “ shouted the timer, “she has to do back stroke! I will disqualify your team.”
I shouted “back stroke , back stroke “ at her.
She obviously could not hear. Her cap covered her ears and was tied under her chin. She switched to breast stroke midway.
Since we were coming last any way thanks to her antics and slow pace he allowed us to continue.
I entered for 50X4 Individual Medley. I am rather slow, (even though I got the gold). I saw my timekeeper disappear for a 2 minute break, have a cup of tea and return. Needless to say, I was still swimming-----.
It was good fun, I got two gold medals, three silver medals, my daughter (now old enough to be a master’s swimmer) got two gold and two silver, and we both qualified to represent Tamil Nadu at the Nationals.
