Tokyo 2020: Covid-19 has affected our preparation, but an Olympic medal is still an achievable goal, says Rani Rampal
The captain of the Indian women’s hockey team, Rani Rampal, says that the Covid-19 pandemic has prompted her team to perform well at the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo, starting on July 23.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has hit our country severely. People have lost their loved ones, the doctors have lost their lives while saving others. So we don’t have to look for motivation elsewhere. The Covid-19 has driven us to do well in the Olympics,” Rani Rampal told India Today.In in an exclusive interview.
“I strongly believe that we have a realistic chance of winning a medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Our team is well balanced, and hopefully, we will be able to bring joy to our countrymen with a podium finish,” added Rani Rampal.
When Covid-19 breached the bio-bubble
When the whole country is reeling under a severe second wave of Covid-19, the skipper herself had contracted the infection along with her six teammates and two support staff members.
“It was frustrating. We were taking all the precautions but still got infected. 14-days quarantine is physically and mentally challenging.
“But when we saw what was happening outside, we were in a much better condition,” recalls Rani.
The Indian captain said it was not easy to prepare the team physically and mentally when the Games were delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s not easy for an athlete to push yourself physically and mentally in this extra one year. It was a big mental challenge in Covid-19 times.
“You normally get upset mentally, but the coach helped us a lot in dealing with any problem 24×7, at the personal or physical level,” said Rani.
Rise of women’s hockey
This will be the Indian Women’s Hockey team’s third appearance at the Olympic Games and their second consecutive outing, with previous appearances in 1980 and 2016. The Indian Women’s Hockey team has seen a steady rise over the past few years, clinching Olympic qualification for a historic second consecutive occasion based on their consistent performances in qualifying events.
Since Rio 2016, the team has experienced the highs of winning the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy, 2017 Asia Cup, the Silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games, and making it to the Quarter Finals of the 2018 Women’s World Cup for the first time in history.
Rani has played a pivotal role in the rise of the Indian women’s hockey team. Call it a fate or anything else; Rani has always stepped it when it matters the most. Be it the goal against Japan in Antwerp to win the ticket for Rio Olympics after 36 years or her goals in the regulation time and the penalty shootout when India won its first-ever medal at the Junior Women’s World Cup in 2013. Rani is almost everywhere.
From Rio to Tokyo
The Indian women team competed at the 2016 Olympics after 36 years but was eliminated at the Group Stage itself with four losses and a draw against Japan.
“This team is more mature than the team it was four years ago. We all were very young in Rio, but this time the story is different. We have around eight players in our squad from Rio, so it gives us a great boost. We are not afraid of taking on anyone,” said the 26-year-old.
“No team becomes Olympic champions overnight. They definitely started from somewhere. We, also, are part of the process. Coaching and the staff are working well for this mission,” said Rani.
On fitness comparison with the European team
Rani Rampal believes that fitness-wise, this Indian side are no less than any European team.
“Earlier, people felt that we were no match to the European teams. However, if you see our team over the period of last four-five years, fitness-wise, we are no less than any other team.”Placed in a tough Pool A, the Indian team will begin its Olympic campaign against the world’s top side, the Netherlands, on July 24 before taking on Germany (ranked 3rd), Great Britain (5th), and Ireland (9th).
