ON YOUR MARKS...

Athletics, one of the blue-riband events at all multi-discipline competitions, begins today. For India, it’s of added significance because of the potential it holds, Indraneel Das explains...

- Indraneel Das

THE world of artificial intelligence, machine, robots and human fused into an eclectic display of one of the most talked about Opening Ceremonies of the Asian Games last Saturday. There were lasers, non-polluting pyros and human features resembling holograms. Among the riot of sound and light, there were people too. They marched, cheered and danced. The venue, Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, was at its most mesmerizing divine display of splendour.

Six days later, the venue will roar again. This time though, it won't be for Als or lasers. This time it would be for pure human feat. It's the stage where athletes will test the limits of their human endurance, power and skill; where they would seek to reach sublime heights of triumph through human achievement.

As the Asian Games turns towards its business end, India would be hoping to excel in a sport it has dominated for quite some time at the Asian level.

Athletics. Last edition, they finished with 20 medals including eight gold. This time, after a successful Asian Championships, India would be looking for an encore.