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Vijender Singh backs athletes’ right to personal coaches at global events | Paris Olympics 2024 News
NEW DELHI: Olympic medalist and politician Vijender Singh has waded into the debate on the necessity of personal coaches for athletes at global events. Singh emphasized that athletes should have the autonomy to choose their own support staff, particularly in light of the Paris Olympics, which commenced on Friday. This discussion arises amid ongoing deliberations about the presence of personal coaches alongside federation-appointed national coaches.
“Definitely, it is necessary. When I used to box (in the amateur circuit), we were given full freedom in this aspect. So we got the coaches and the sparring partners we wanted,” Singh, who is also a member of the ruling BJP, expressed during an exclusive interaction with PTI editors at its headquarters.
Singh, 38, from Haryana, boasts an impressive career, including a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2009 World Championships. His accomplishments also feature two silvers and a bronze at the Commonwealth Games, a gold and a bronze at the Asian Games, and a silver and bronze at the Asian Championships.
“They (authorities) said ‘we’ll give you what you want but we need the performance.’ And we delivered. Between 2006 and 2012, I performed and won almost everywhere. So I feel the demands of the players in the training camp need to be fulfilled,” Vijender said.
The Indian delegation in Paris includes 140 support staff, with 72 of them fully financed by the Indian government. This contingent primarily consists of personal coaches requested by the athletes.
Singh also addressed the transformative impact of social media in modern sports, highlighting its role in enabling athletes to voice concerns and seek support.
“The facilities have improved from my time. These days we have the power of the internet on our phones, so things get viral very easily. People or athletes can share their pain on social media and expect to be heard if they tag the right people,” he noted.
“We didn’t have that power… there was no social media then. Social media is a huge power in the hands of the common man today. You can write about your problems on Instagram, Facebook, and people who are good they end up helping you,” he added.
Singh’s endorsement of personal coaches for athletes signifies a notable shift in sports administration and athlete support, especially with the enhanced connectivity and influence provided by social media platforms.
“Definitely, it is necessary. When I used to box (in the amateur circuit), we were given full freedom in this aspect. So we got the coaches and the sparring partners we wanted,” Singh, who is also a member of the ruling BJP, expressed during an exclusive interaction with PTI editors at its headquarters.
Singh, 38, from Haryana, boasts an impressive career, including a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2009 World Championships. His accomplishments also feature two silvers and a bronze at the Commonwealth Games, a gold and a bronze at the Asian Games, and a silver and bronze at the Asian Championships.
“They (authorities) said ‘we’ll give you what you want but we need the performance.’ And we delivered. Between 2006 and 2012, I performed and won almost everywhere. So I feel the demands of the players in the training camp need to be fulfilled,” Vijender said.
The Indian delegation in Paris includes 140 support staff, with 72 of them fully financed by the Indian government. This contingent primarily consists of personal coaches requested by the athletes.
Singh also addressed the transformative impact of social media in modern sports, highlighting its role in enabling athletes to voice concerns and seek support.
“The facilities have improved from my time. These days we have the power of the internet on our phones, so things get viral very easily. People or athletes can share their pain on social media and expect to be heard if they tag the right people,” he noted.
“We didn’t have that power… there was no social media then. Social media is a huge power in the hands of the common man today. You can write about your problems on Instagram, Facebook, and people who are good they end up helping you,” he added.
Singh’s endorsement of personal coaches for athletes signifies a notable shift in sports administration and athlete support, especially with the enhanced connectivity and influence provided by social media platforms.
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