Deepika Kumari: From Archery Queen to Online Villain? Is This How We Treat Our Sporting Heroes?

Deepika Kumari, India's archery sensation, is under fire after her latest Olympic performance. Explore the harsh reality faced by athletes, the toxic culture of social media, and the unwavering spirit of a champion. Is this how we treat our sporting heroes?

  • Amit Diwan
  • Editorial
  • Updated - 2024-07-29, 17:27 IST
deepika kumari olympics troll paris

As the arrows flew at the Paris Olympic Games 2024, hopes soared for India's women's archery team. But those hopes came crashing down in the quarterfinals against the Netherlands. At the centre of the storm? Deepika Kumari, India's most decorated archer, who found herself struggling to hit her mark when it mattered most.

Deepika Kumari's Paris 2024 Struggle

deepika kumari

The scoreboard told a harsh tale, India 0, Netherlands 6 (51-52, 49-54, 48-53). While 18-year-old Bhajan Kaur shone with 56 out of 60 points, seasoned veterans Deepika and Ankita Bhakat faltered. Deepika's score of 48 out of 60 became a lightning rod for criticism, overshadowing her years of excellence.

The Internet's Cruel Hypocrisy

In the aftermath of the loss, social media exploded with vitriol. Fans, once ardent supporters, turned into harsh critics. Some called for Deepika to retire, while others questioned her very presence on the Olympic team. The internet, it seems, has a short memory when it comes to past glories.

This isn't the first time Indian sports fans have displayed such hypocrisy. Cricketers, often worshipped as gods, have also faced similar online backlash. From Jasprit Bumrah opting out of a series for his family to Mohammed Shami's consistent trolling, the pattern is clear.

Deepika Kumari's journey from a small village near Ranchi to the world stage is nothing short of inspirational. From throwing stones at mangoes as a child to becoming World Number 1 in 2012, her rise has been meteoric.

Highlights of Deepika Kumari’s Career

  • World Championship silver medals in 2011 and 2015
  • Three World Cup silver medals (2011, 2012, 2013)
  • Two Commonwealth Games gold medals
  • Asian Games bronze medal in 2010
  • Arjuna Award recipient in 2012
  • Padma Shri awardee in 2016

The Pressure Cooker of Olympic Dreams

olympics

Deepika's struggles with Olympic pressure are well-documented. Her shock exit in the 2012 London Olympics as the top seed was a bitter pill to swallow. Yet, she persevered, continuously working on her craft and mental game.

The very fans who once celebrated Deepika's world record-equalling feat in Shanghai now call for her retirement. This stark contrast highlights the fickle nature of fame and the immense pressure placed on athletes to perform consistently at the highest level.

As we witness the online backlash against Deepika Kumari, it's crucial to pause and reflect. Are we, as sports enthusiasts and armchair critics, being fair to our athletes? Do a few moments of underperformance negate years of dedication and triumph?

It's easy to forget that behind every missed shot and every defeat is a human being grappling with immense pressure. Deepika Kumari, like many athletes, has dedicated her life to her sport. Her journey from humble beginnings to Olympic stardom is a testament to her resilience and skill.

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A Call for Empathy

call for emapthy

As we move forward from this Olympic disappointment, perhaps it's time for a shift in perspective. Instead of harsh criticism, could we offer support? Instead of calling for retirement, could we encourage resilience?

For Deepika Kumari, the Paris Olympics may have been a setback, but it need not define her career. As she navigates this challenging period, the true test will be her ability to rise above the criticism and find her mark once again.

The treatment of Deepika Kumari following her Olympic performance is not just about one athlete or one sport. It's a reflection of our larger sporting culture. It raises important questions about how we treat our heroes, how we handle disappointment, and the toxic potential of social media in sports.

As we look to the future of Indian sports, let's strive for a balance between high expectations and human empathy. After all, it's not just about the medals, but about nurturing a sporting culture that inspires the next generation of athletes to pick up the bow, the bat, or the javelin.

Deepika Kumari's story is far from over. And as she writes her next chapter, perhaps we too can evolve in how we support our sporting heroes, in victory and in defeat.

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Image Courtesy: X, Freepik

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