Manu Bhaker’s ‘hope people are not disappointed’ reaction a slap to Indian fan culture

Manu Bhaker made history by winning a second medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, but her main concern was what lay ahead. It was less about the upcoming 25m pistol event, where a win would make her the only individual Indian athlete to clinch three Olympic medals, and more about the fear of backlash if she failed to meet the ‘gold’ standard set by Indian fans.

“I hope the love stays. I will definitely try my best. I hope people are not disappointed or angry,” Manu Bhaker was quoted as saying by PTI after becoming the first athlete in Independent India to win multiple medals at a single Olympics.

Why? Because while India may lack a strong sporting culture, it does not lack ambition. The expectation is always for our athletes to win gold, even if we tend to forget them during the four-year gap between the Olympics.

Paris Olympics: News, schedule, medals tally and more

Bhaker was expected to meet these towering standards for the first time three years ago at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which were held in 2021, when the Jhajjar-born air pistol shooter was just 19. Competing in three events, Bhaker was anticipated to win a medal in each. Her failure to reach a single final led to a barrage of vile abuse, which was not only limited to her professional shortcomings but also extended to all aspects of her existence.

The fact that her pistol malfunctioned in the qualification, reducing her to tears did not come to her rescue.

Once you are picked to represent the nation at the highest stage, you have only one option: either you win a medal or become a punching bag as we enjoy devaluing your existence.

Manu Bhaker Exclusive: Paris Olympics medallist on comeback from Tokyo heartbreak

Bhaker raised unmatched hopes by winning nine gold medals at the 2017 National Shooting Championships and securing Youth Olympics gold in 2018. For a country starved of stars in Olympic sports, such unprecedented success leads to the highest level of glorification until failure occurs. And once you fail, however, this country with its limited sporting culture will not let you forget your shortcomings.

Ace archer Deepika Kumari has been facing it for years and once again became a victim of shameful abuse on Sunday after the women’s team made a disappointing exit in the quarter-finals.

Yes, it was disappointing. Scoring 6s and 7s in a quarter-final is poor performance, but that doesn’t give anyone the right to label athletes as frauds. In fact, ‘fraud’ was one of the more civilised terms used against the veteran who has not only been a former world No. 1 but is also competing in her fourth Olympics.

She is in Paris on merit, not due to anyone’s favor.

Also read | Manu Bhaker: List of records held by history-making shooter

Yes, the archery team and Deepika Kumari failed in the mixed team match but you address failure with justified criticism and follow it up with necessary action or changes.

Those who hurl abuse are often the ones who stand to lose the least and are motivated only by deriving satisfaction from demeaning others.

Manu is a history-maker today, yet she is well aware of the unwarranted hardships that Indian athletes endure.

Even after becoming the first Indian female athlete to win two Olympic medals, PV Sindhu has never escaped denigration.

Read: Who is Manu Bhaker - India’s double bronze medallist at Paris Olympics

In an interview after her historic bronze medal win in Paris, Manu Bhaker revealed that she created a fake online profile to defend PV Sindhu.

This is what Indian athletes often face – a complete lack of support from fans, which has been the downfall of many promising prospects.

Manu Bhaker is a strong character, as evidenced by her comeback to win two Olympic medals after the criticism she faced following Tokyo 2020. However, this resilience is not universal.

Consider Saurabh Chaudhary – the only Indian shooter to reach the final at Tokyo – who has since disappeared from the spotlight after his challenging experience post-Tokyo 2020. Similarly, Jitu Rai has become virtually anonymous since Rio 2016, along with many others. Frankly, this situation is far from something to be proud of.

Watching sports and writing about it are my favourite things in life and I try to bring you the best from the sporting world at Firstpost. see more