India’s German javelin coach Uwe Hohn slams Olympics preparation

WITH THE Tokyo Olympics only a month away, India’s javelin throw coach Uwe Hohn has stated that the nation’s high sports activities organisations — Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Athletics Federation of India (AFI) — “did not do enough” to organize athletes for the mega occasion.
Speaking to The Indian Express on Monday, the 58-year-old German, who’s the one man to throw the javelin over 100 metres and the coach behind Indian star Neeraj Chopra’s rise, stated coaching for the Olympics was unplanned and weight loss program not match for elite athletes.
He additionally alleged that he was “blackmailed” into signing a contract he wasn’t proud of.
According to Hohn, the one motive Chopra might journey to Europe final week for coaching and competitions main as much as the Games was due to JSW Sports, the sports activities promoter that helps the Asian and Commonwealth gold medal winner.
Elaborating on circumstances on the National Institute of Sports, Patiala, the place Chopra had been coaching earlier than leaving for Europe, Hohn stated: “The temperatures in Patiala are pretty extreme and we can only practice early in the morning or after 6 pm. It is difficult to keep the motivation up in these conditions. Also, recovery needs much longer time than when compared to the weather conditions in Europe now. I’m actually not sure how exactly it (Chopra going to Europe) happened but I guess it was with the help and connection of JSW (JSW Sports which manages Chopra). Definitely nothing from the SAI or AFI. They both definitely did not do enough to get our athletes to camps or competitions (overseas).”
Hohn is at present in Patiala with javelin thrower Shivpal Singh, who has certified for the Olympics. He stated that even Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) athletes — medal contenders handpicked by the Sports Ministry — battle to get dietary dietary supplements.
Speaking about his three-and-a-half 12 months stint in India, Hohn stated: “When I came here I thought I could change something but it’s probably too difficult with these people at SAI or AFI. I don’t know if it’s lack of knowledge or ignorance. Beside camps or competitions even when we ask via our nutritionist for supplements for our athletes we don’t get the right stuff. Not even for TOPS athletes. If we get something we are very happy.”
He additionally blamed authorities for allegedly going again on their phrase on his contract. “I’m not happy with the new contract I signed in the beginning of April. We (he and biomechanics expert Dr Klaus Bartonietz) got blackmailed into signing it otherwise we wouldn’t have got paid anymore. They said they would review our coaching in April and then increase our salaries. Like all promises before, these were only empty words. That’s not the way you work with people and coaches who like to help Indian athletes to get closer to their potential,” Hohn stated.