Indian athletes need to train at higher altitude

30 September, 2012

India has never had a perfect role model in athletics who the youngsters can look up to. But the brand ambassador of Delhi Half Marathon, David Rushida feels that one needs to get good coaching and have the talent to perform at the highest level.

IN INDIA, where cricket always steals the show, given its popularity, we hardly have any track or field athlete who stands out and can act as a role model for youngsters.

Various kinds of marathons take place in India, but still there is no one worth mentioning. One of such most well known marathons is ‘Delhi Half Marathon’, which is scheduled to take place today Sunday. David Rushida, world record holder in the 800-metre race and the brand ambassador of Delhi Half Marathon feels that Indian kids need to have an inspiration to perform better in the field of track and field. But who do these Indian kids look up to for inspiration?

In this nnis video, Rushida said: “It is all about training and dedication and of course you need to get everything perfect to get the world record. First get good coaching and have that talent to perform at that level.” He further added that one needed to be in good place of training. He gives his own example, where he says that he trains above 2300 metres above sea level. This means that the Indian athletes need not train in places such as Delhi, but places located at high altitude.

The Indian athletes may not have all the facilities that are required for a top sprint athlete, but the demands for a long distance runner are less compared to sprint athletes. Added Rushida, “ Kenyan athletes train naturally that is what is really good about Kenyans. Kenyans are not doing well in sprinting, because sprinting needs modern facility, good tracks and gym, but we do not have such things.” He further stated that long distance running just requires going on the road and training, doing physical exercise etc. So, for a nation like India, long distance running seems to be the right way forward.