The Paris Olympics are fast approaching, and Team India are finalising their preparations to deliver their best performance on the grandest stage. In anticipation of this major event, PT Usha, the current President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), in an exclusive conversation with RevSportz, discussed her expectations, the arrangements for all athletes, mental-health management, and much more.
Usha shared that preparations for the Olympics were progressing well, with athletes training in various locations, including Europe and India. The team includes experts in sports medicine, wellness, nutrition, and physiotherapy, ensuring comprehensive support during the event. A recovery centre will be established, creating a “mini India” atmosphere and allowing athletes to feel at home despite being away.
As president of the IOA, Usha emphasised the organisation’s goal of breaking into the top 10 before hosting the Olympic Games. She believes in nurturing grassroots talent and highlighted the importance of the Khelo India initiative. However, there’s a need to identify raw talent more effectively, which the IOA aims to do in collaboration with the government and other associations.
Usha also spoke of the necessity for a systematic, long-term approach. While the IOA hasn’t fully engaged at the grassroots level yet, plans are in place to extend financial support and focus on developing talent over the next few years.
Reflecting on her athletic career, the legendary former Indian sprinter noted that her experience with injuries underscored the importance of sports science and medicine. She stressed the need for specialised care that maintains fitness during recovery, a practice that is often overlooked. “Injury will be a part and parcel of course, but if you have a good sports science or sports medicine expert with you, then it will be better because fitness is something that we should keep.” she said.
Mental health is another critical area for the IOA. Usha highlighted the need for sleep therapy and mental-wellness training to help athletes manage competition stress. She recalled her own struggles with sleep during her career and emphasised that proper rest was vital for recovery.
“My time, [there was] nothing like that, and for me most of the time, I still remember that, if I do good, no sleep,” said Usha. “If I do not do good also, no sleep. So, when you do get good sleep, then you will get good recovery. When you do not sleep, you will get all soreness, your leg will get soreness, that naturally comes. So, this time, we planned for recovery centres also for the players.”
Finally, Usha encouraged fans to support Indian athletes by engaging through their app, fostering a positive environment that could help them perform without added pressure.