Apathy of the Indian Athletic Federation towards Indian Marathon Runner

Both are wrong, the Indian officials do not go there for supporting their players and players like Jaisha with her all experience in international marathon does not know that organizers of such events make arrangements for every athlete participating in such a race. She could have picked water and energy drinks from any of the counters available or even others' counter as well after a particular distance. 

Officials from all other Countries, provide refreshments, water and energy drinks for their Runners at designated points  after every 2.5 Km .

India too had a designated point,with the Country's name and Tricolor. But no officials. No drinks.

@Sunil it is not fair to blame the athlete. The least you can do is desist from commenting but not accuse the athlete. She has been let down very badly and the federation even put out a statement saying she refused water facility. Let us accept the failure on part of our officials.

This is such a sorry state of affairs. My heart goes out to Jisha and kavitha. Cant even imagine how they would have felt seeing only the table and flag where they expected at-least water ( not refreshments). 

Jishna l was lying unconscious and unattended for  more than 2 hours. Great .

I guess we need to get the version of both the sides before jumping to any conclusions..this is what the Athletes Federation of India has to say about the issue 

http://scroll.in/latest/814685/afi-refutes-op-jaishas-charges-says-runner-refused-refreshments-provided-for-olympics-marathon

Seems like the blame game is on, what the two athletes had refused was the offer of personalised drinks, as they are both from India, they would probably never have used any personalised drinks. But since the athletes would be totally focused on their own pace and the actual race, it was the duty of Indian officials to provide them with water and other energy drinks. It is also reported that no one was present at the Indian desk, probably they were busy taking selfies elsewhere! On one hand it is this apathy and indifference and then over the board adulation if they win any medals. Like I always say, the priorities of Indians are completely wrong! Sick mentality!

According to the officials she was rushed to the hospital within minutes 

http://m.timesofindia.com/sports/rio-2016-olympics/india-in-olympics-2016/athletics/Jaisha-had-refused-to-avail-personalised-drinks-during-the-marathon-AFI/articleshow/53817326.cms

Of course AFI while refuting Jaisha's allegations saying that she and her coach declined the offer of personalized drinks for the Athlete.

Jaisha and Kavita the Indian Participants say there was nothing to  drink at our Stations. Not even water.

I must say Jaisha is not new to Marathon. She ran in Beijing World's last year to finish 18 th.

The real things surface up only after an enquiry.

rambabu wrote:

Of course AFI while refuting Jaisha's allegations saying that she and her coach declined the offer of personalized drinks for the Athlete.

Jaisha and Kavita the Indian Participants say there was nothing to  drink at our Stations. Not even water.

I must say Jaisha is not new to Marathon. She ran in Beijing World's last year to finish 18 th.

The real things surface up only after an enquiry.

I agree Jaisha took 30 minutes more than her last outing. She may be covering up her failure. An enquiry will help out

Like Kalyani said the blame game is on. And with country like India where Money and Power speak, i dont think an inquiry would help bring out the truth. But personally my heart goes out to Jisha n kavitha.

Enquiry has to be set up. Reality has to  surface Up. Otherwise accept whatever happened without crying Foul.

Yes, there are two versions about this particular incident. Both the sides cannot be wrong. One has to be right and I feel officials hardly speak the truth when they are caught. When radiologists are sent with the Indian contingent in place of doctors then our officials can stoop to anything.

Whatever, one sees on the surface may not be always true. To ascertain what is true and what's false, an impartial enquiry has to take place. Till then , we  maintain silence.

One can never say who is right but the ordeal the athletes went through is something that should not be tolerated no matter what the reason is. The AFI should have made alternative arrangements to provide them with water like it is done with other countries reps.I sincerely hope they thoroughly look into the matter and correct themselves ..

It's true that we should not make hue and cry unless we are sure about the facts but still I would like to raise my doubt. We know how the athletes face difficulties in our country but the athletes know it better than us. In such a scenario when a runner has come up against the apathy of the officials knowing fully that if she is proved wrong then her career will be ruined is a point to ponder.

Definitely. If the Marathon  runner's allegations are proved false, she will be punished certainly. But, Why she should dig her own grove ? What she'd gain by this ? Would she spoil her earlier record of Beijing knowingly ?

Shampa Sadhya wrote:

It's true that we should not make hue and cry unless we are sure about the facts but still I would like to raise my doubt. We know how the athletes face difficulties in our country but the athletes know it better than us. In such a scenario when a runner has come up against the apathy of the officials knowing fully that if she is proved wrong then her career will be ruined is a point to ponder.

I agree that one must know all facts before making any accusations, but then there has to be a grain of truth in what happened as is claimed by Jaisha otherwise she wouldn't make such accusations and put her own career at stake. Whatever the case is in truth, we cannot deny the fact the way Indian officials are prone to behaving when they are out for an international event. Most of them are only interested in sightseeing and merrymaking rather than focus on supporting and providing assistance to athletes which they are supposed to do. The athletes are the ones who do hard work and bear all stress but they are the ones given least importance by the officials.

The truth is that in either case the image of Indian sports has taken a beating.

And another truth is that everyone is pointing at others, but no one is willing to even think about corrective actions. And that is the saddest part.