Rio Olympics 2016 flashback: As two legends walk into the sunset, a new generation of superstars rises

Fall of the giants

Novak Djokovic was knocked out by Juan Martin Del Potro

The beauty of Olympics lies in the rise of new nations and the birth of new stars, but they also bring with them the fall of a few high and mighty. Kerri Walsh Jennings had never lost an Olympic final, winning the women’s beach volleyball golds at the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Games with teammate Misty May-Treanor. But, playing with April Ross in 2016, she was finally beaten by a Brazilian pair in the semifinals, and eventually had to settle for a bronze.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who became the first Caribbean woman to win the 100m gold at the Olympics in 2008 and followed it up with a victory in London, was denied a hat-trick by compatriot Elaine Thompson’s scorching speed. Thompson also went on to add the 200m title to her repertoire.

The Olympics also ended in tears for Novak Djokovic, who was aiming for a golden slam with eyes set on his first title at the Summer Games. But a spirited Juan Martin Del Potro eliminated the Serb in an emotional first round encounter. While Del Potro was overwhelmed by the feeling of outclassing the favourite in a gripping contest, Djokovic repented the missed opportunity. The Argentine went on to beat Rafael Nadal in the semis, before losing to Andy Murray in the gold medal match.

A few other athletes that took the Games by storm included a couple of Hungarians, swimmer Katinka Hosszu, who finished with three golds and a silver, and canooer Danuta Kozak who secured three golds. 21-year-old Australian Ryan Murphy, who was in his first Olympics, also made waves in the pool fetching three gold medals.

Rio’s troubles

Closely watched by tens of thousands of security personnel, the games ended without a major mishap. However, reports of a Portuguese minister getting mugged, coaches and officials being robbed at knifepoint, a stray bullet flying into the equestrian arena and an attack on a media bus do pose a lot of questions about Rio’s preparedness.

But security was just one of the talking points during the games that saw a depleted Russian contingent take field after doping allegations barred a number of its athletes. The animosity toward drug offenders was clearly visible in the pool as Russian swimmer Yulia Efimova was booed by the crowds and called a “drug cheat” by an American rival.

Efimova, who had once served a ban for drug use, was cleared by WADA to participate in the games, but a hostile reception from the crowd and a stinging statement from her rival made the incident one of the most hotly debated controversies of the games. While it is legitimate to ask if a drug offender should be allowed to compete again, it is also wrong to question the existence of a competitor who has earned her spot in an event by getting a green signal from the sport’s highest authority.

There was more trouble in store for the organisers as Brazil failed to draw in crowds at the stadiums, despite some stellar performances; to add to the woes passports of top Irish executives have been seized for scalping tickets, and a few boxing judges were sent home mid-way for making wrong calls.

Memorable moments

Rio will also be remembered for the pain of Samir Ait Said, whose broken leg drew sympathy from across the globe; the anguish of Vincenzo Nibali, whose broken collarbone cost him a win at the cycling road race; the spirit of American Abbey D’Agnostino who stopped to help New Zealander Nikki Hamblin get back on her feet in the women’s 5,000 meters, after the two clashed and tumbled on track; the selfie of a North Korean gymnast with a South Korean competitor; the marriage proposals; and the embarrassment caused by four US swimmers, who allegedly made up stories of robbery to cover up their acts of misdemeanor.

Rise of the Indian women

PV Sindhu was the lone silver medalist for India at the games

For India, PV Sindhu, Sakshi Malik, Dipa Karmarkar and Lalita Babar touched great heights and made the country rise up and salute the power of Indian women. Sindhu and Malik saved India the blushes by winning a silver and bronze, respectively, and ensuring the country doesn’t return without a medal. But, the showing at Rio calls for introspection and a lot will need to be done as we look ahead to Tokyo 2020.