Why Prakash Padukone lashed out at athletes at Paris Olympics? What has been the response?

Shocked at the way Lakshya Sen buckled under pressure in his men’s singles bronze medal match at Paris Olympics, legendary Prakash Padukone said it’s high time that players take ownership for their results, become accountable and start delivering after receiving support from multiple avenues.

The former All England champion minced no words and said the young athletes need to be able to counter pressure better. He said that they can’t keep putting the onus of defeats on coaches, support staff and federations.

Paris Olympics: News, schedule, medals tally and more

“After Milkha Singh in 64′ and PT Usha in the 80s, we have so many fourth place finishes. I think that it’s high time that the players also take responsibility,” Padukone said.

“At least for the results in this Olympics and the previous one, you cannot hold the federations and government responsible for the results. They have all done whatever they can. Ultimately the responsibility is on the players to go an deliver when it matters the most,” Padukone stated.

“The players need to introspect, and not just keep asking for more from the federations. They need to ask themselves whether they are working hard enough, because all of these players have their own physios and all the facilities. I don’t think any other country, including the US, has so many facilities.”

Padukone felt that shooter Manu Bhaker probably could do well because she was not under pressure.

“People who are favourites are always under pressure and have not done so well as expected. Most of our medals even in the earlier Olympics have come from people whom we have not expected anything because there is no pressure.”

Lakshya Sen made history at the Paris Olympics but lost against Viktor Axelsen and Lee Zii Jia from promising positions. In the semi-final versus Axelsen, Sen squandered three game points in the first set and seven point lead in the second. In the bronze medal play-off, Sen took the opening set but couldn’t make the dominance count.

“I and Vimal are not happy with the fourth position of Lakshya (Sen). He could have definitely gotten a medal. I know (Viktor) Axelsen might say that Lakshya is the next best, but that is not good enough because there was a possibility of a medal.

“Had he lost comfortably, it would have been a different issue. But to have come this far, to have taken the lead… I know he is young, but he cannot give this as an excuse. Take the responsibility and work harder,” said Padukone strongly.

Fourth places and near finishes

India have had at least five near finishes to a podium place at the ongoing Paris Olympics. Instead, the current tally reads three medals - all in shooting.

Arjun Babuta finished fourth in the men’s 10m air rifle final. Archery team of Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat made history by going into the semi-finals but lost to USA in the bronze medal play-off. Manu Bhaker, who won two medals, could not add one more to the tally as she missed narrowly in the 25m pistol event. Shuttler Lakshya Sen went down to Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia in his bronze medal clash. And most recently, Maheshwari Chauhan and Anant Jeet Singh Naruka finished second best to China’s pairing in the skeet mixed team bronze medal match.

What has been the response?

Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual gold medallist at the Olympics, said now is not the time to criticise but to appreciate athletes for reaching this far with support of their coaches, support staff and families.

“Competing at an Olympics is an extraordinary challenge. It is a testament to the dedication and sacrifice of every athlete. I am incredibly proud of the fight by athletes who have finished fourth at the Paris Olympics. It is a difficult time for them but to come so close to a medal is a monumental achievement. It is important to recognise the hard work of not just the athletes but their coaches, support staff and families. We must always and always stand by our athletes,” he was quoted as saying by RevSportz Global.

“This is the essence of sport. Not everyone can win but in their relentless pursuit, they’ve already proven themselves as winners. There will always be a time to re-assess preparations and training but that time is not now. Now, we must celebrate each of our athletes who represent the hopes and dreams of 1.4 billion Indians. They’ve made us proud and inspired us all.”

Viren Rasquinha, a former India hockey player and now expert on JioCinema for the Olympics coverage, posted on X, “There are already 5 athletes/events where India has finished 4th #Paris2024. It is very hard on them, their families & & people who work with them 24/7. There is a time to be tough on our athletes and there is a time to be empathetic. Understanding what to do when is crucial”

Ashwini Ponnappa, who bowed out in the women’s doubles group stage at Paris 2024, wasn’t pleased to see Padukone throw Lakshya under the bus.

“Disappointing to see this. If a player wins, everyone jumps on the bandwagon to take credit, and if they lose, it’s just the player’s fault?!” Ponnappa wrote in an Instagram story.

“Why aren’t coaches held responsible for lack of preparation and getting the player ready? They are the first ones to take credit for wins; why not take responsibility for their players’ losses as well? “At the end of the day, winning takes team effort and losing is also the team’s responsibility. You can’t suddenly push the player under the bus and blame it all on the player.”