Interview with Anju Bobby George: "I felt on top of the world after winning the bronze in Paris in 2003"

From L to R: Saanil Bhaskaran(Akshaya Patra), Dr. Sanjiv Agarwal(Diabeta Care), Amulya, Anju Bobby George, Samyuktha Hornad, Vikram Thaploo CEO, Apollo Tele Health Services, Kabir Lumba, Managing Director, Lifestyle International Pvt. Ltd, and Venkataraman B

The Landmark Group announced the 6th edition of the Beat Diabetes campaign at the Lifestyle store in Bengaluru on Wednesday and present at the occasion was Indian Long jumper and winner of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award in 2003 Anju Bobby George.

The only Indian to have won a medal at a World Championships, Mrs. George spoke to Sportskeeda about her early days, India’s chances at Rio and much more.

Excerpts:

1. When you were first approached by the Landmark Group to be part of the ‘Beat Diabetes’ campaign, how quickly did you say yes to it?

A:Right from the first call itself, I accepted to be a part of the campaign because Diabetes is something that is largely spreading, especially in India after China. Even the younger generation are affected by it. So it would be better if we spread awareness among the next generation. Close to 50000 youngsters will be a part of this awareness programme and I think its a fantastic initiative.

2. Can you tell us a bit about your beginnings in athletics?

A: Actually I wasn't interested at all (laughs) but it was my parents who took the initiative. They were very much interested and put me in athletics. After a few years, I realised that this was my field. So I started training and I feel it was a gradual and steady progress.

3. Once that realisation came that athletics was your field, who did you idolise?

A: It was Marion Jones at the start, but later on obviously we got to know that everything wasn't as clean as one thought it to be. But she was my idol.

4. You are part of the committee for the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). Recently, we saw an incident where Arpinder Singh, the triple jumper, couldn't train in the USA as the government didn't sanction his request. What are your thoughts on the issue?

Anju Bobby George on top of the podium in Paris in 2003

A: Actually we are in the selection committee. So were are restricted only to picking the athletes. The other issues are handled are other members. We picked him for the scheme but I don't know what happened after that. I think he asked for his coach as well, so I guess that's where an issue cropped up.

5. India recorded their highest ever medal tally at the London Olympics 2012. Can they exceed that number at Rio 2016?

A: I am not sure whether athletics will be a part of the next Olympics. But yes, we are slowly rising up. We are concentrating on a few sports like Tennis, Badminton, Wrestling etc. I think we can win more medals in those events. But it's a big stage, so it would be a little hard to predict anything but we can be hopeful.

6. Finally, you won the bronze medal at the World Championships in Paris in 2003. What were your feelings when you went up the podium that day?

A: That feeling can't be expressed. I felt on top of the world. A bronze medal is almost an equivalent to a gold for us. At that point we all felt there was fair competition, but the recent findings tell a slightly different story.

During my time, there were three Russians ahead of me and they were winnings almost everything. But they have been suspended now and we have a better picture of how they achieved it. I still feel I was more talented than those Russians who won three medals at the Olympics. We are still awaiting one in Athletics, hopefully, that day will come soon.