'Don't feel complacent with Beijing show'

KOZHIKODE: India should be proud of the unprecedented three-medal haul in Beijing Olympics but should do more by way of tapping talent at the junior level to perform even better in 2012 London Olympics, feels former sprint queen P T Usha.
    
"While all of us are quite proud to see our contingent returning with three medals, I do not think that we can feel complacent about out performance," she said here on Monday.
    
"We have to start working on a war footing if we have to give a better performance in London and that is possible provided the right application is there and we tap young talent," she said.
    
She said India has abundant junior talent in many disciplines including athletics but it was for the authorities concerned to spot them soon if India should put up a better show in London.
    
"When a country like Jamaica with a population of 28 lakh can come out with such a good show, why not India," she asked.
    
Asked about Tintu Luka, a product of her own athletics school here, Usha said the youngster would prove her mettle at the next Olympics.
    
Eighteen-year-old Luka is being prepared by Usha for the next Olympics for the 800m race after participating in the recently-concluded World junior athletics event.
    
On Usain Bolt, the 'Payyoli Express' said he proved what one can do if trained properly. "Jamaica provides training from the primary school level and particularly concentrates on athletics," she said.
    
Applauding China's 100-medal achievement, the former ace sprinter, who missed an Olympic bronze by a whisker in 1984 in Los Angeles, said China has been working for this for the past 18 years ever since it hosted the Asiad in Beijing.