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Nothing less than Olympic medal for Anju
New Delhi, Sept 17: Long jumper Anju George, whose third place performance at the World Athletic Championships catapulated her to a place in India`s sports history, yesterday dedicated the medal to people of the country who prayed for me and my success .
New Delhi, Sept 17: Long jumper Anju George, whose third place performance at the World Athletic Championships catapulated her to a place in India's sports history, yesterday dedicated the medal to people of the country who prayed for me and my success .
Anju told an ecstatic crowd of her fans here this evening that she will do her best to bring more glory for the country in the Athens Olympics.
Anju and her husband Bobby George were given a tumultuous reception by the Amateur Athletic Federation of India (AAFI) at the lawns of Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium.
AAFI president Suresh Kalmadi presented a cheque of Rs five lakh to Anju and cheque of Rs one lakh to Bobby, who also happens to be her coach.
Amidst thunderous applause Anju said ''I feel proud and happy to have represented my country before the best of the world.''
''I knew that million of Indians were praying for my success and hence this medal is dedicated to them''.
Talking about the day when she won the bronze medal in Paris (August 30) Anju said, ''that day in Paris I started well and was hopeful throughout. Bobby has been saying this for the last couple of years that i had it in me to win. When you are in the top six in the world, you can expect a medal. I am very happy with my effort and want to go ahead as far as possible.''
A modest Anju gave credit to her husband for her sucess, while adding that training at Mike Powell's academy and his presence at the event had been a major confidence booster.
She said she was satisfied with her performance in the World Athletics final in Monaco on Sunday where she finished fifth, ''It was a bonus to participate in the event. As it is I was very tired and also we had already attained the goal (of winning a medal in Paris) set for the year.''
Anju said barring USA and few European countries, most of the medal winners in athletics come from Carribean and African and other developing countries. ''So I see no reason why the Indians can not be among the medal winners in Olympics''.
AAFI chief Kalmadi while lauding Anju's performance said ''We exexpect no less than a gold from her in Olympics''.
''She (Anju) has become role model for Indian youth and we need some more good performances from her. She is talented and capable of winning the gold (in Olympics)''.
Bureau Report
Anju and her husband Bobby George were given a tumultuous reception by the Amateur Athletic Federation of India (AAFI) at the lawns of Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium.
AAFI president Suresh Kalmadi presented a cheque of Rs five lakh to Anju and cheque of Rs one lakh to Bobby, who also happens to be her coach.
Amidst thunderous applause Anju said ''I feel proud and happy to have represented my country before the best of the world.''
''I knew that million of Indians were praying for my success and hence this medal is dedicated to them''.
Talking about the day when she won the bronze medal in Paris (August 30) Anju said, ''that day in Paris I started well and was hopeful throughout. Bobby has been saying this for the last couple of years that i had it in me to win. When you are in the top six in the world, you can expect a medal. I am very happy with my effort and want to go ahead as far as possible.''
A modest Anju gave credit to her husband for her sucess, while adding that training at Mike Powell's academy and his presence at the event had been a major confidence booster.
She said she was satisfied with her performance in the World Athletics final in Monaco on Sunday where she finished fifth, ''It was a bonus to participate in the event. As it is I was very tired and also we had already attained the goal (of winning a medal in Paris) set for the year.''
Anju said barring USA and few European countries, most of the medal winners in athletics come from Carribean and African and other developing countries. ''So I see no reason why the Indians can not be among the medal winners in Olympics''.
AAFI chief Kalmadi while lauding Anju's performance said ''We exexpect no less than a gold from her in Olympics''.
''She (Anju) has become role model for Indian youth and we need some more good performances from her. She is talented and capable of winning the gold (in Olympics)''.
Bureau Report