Daley Thompson no longer sports the Afro hadirdo. But he has maintained that solid physique, a sharp mind and is still as fit as he used to be until he quit active field activities soon after the Seoul Olympics in 1988.But never once during his athletic career spanning nearly 15 years was he worried as much he is today, over the deteriorating athletic scenario back home in Britain. In a humorous aside, he even attributes the loss of hair to the multiplying worries that have come to occupy his mind. The anguish is understandable. Thomson was a one-in-a-century performer. A decathlete par excellence, Thomosn has more honours — the only man in any event to win two Olympic gold medals and a world championship — than anyone in world athletics.He is still searching for someone, particularly from his home country, to break his records — four world marks, three Commonwealth titles and a pair of European crowns. But he knows it is not going to be that easy because, as he says, there is a dwindling interest in athletics in Britain.‘‘I think it is the case in India as well. Basically we are in the same boat and my endeavour in the next six years would be to correct that impression.’’Thompson found similarities in the Indian cricket craze and the English soccer passion. ‘‘Today anybody who wants to be in sports wants to take to football because of the money. In England 95 per cent of money is concentrated in football. This is something we have to correct fast. Otherwise, we will have nothing to show in 2012 when we host the Olympics. We have a lot of catching up to do before that.’’Towards that direction, Thompson will be touring the countryside and scouting young talent in the next few years to impart training. ‘‘We had a lot of convincing to do back home when we won only a handful of medals at Athens. But that’s not going to help if you are looking at a scenario where Britain is a dominating force. See how the Chinese are planning,’’ he points as a case study, keeping in mind the looming Beijing Games.So what makes the Chinese click? ‘‘Well, first the sheer numbers, then the great will to excel. They are giving the US a run for their money and I won’t be surprised if they go on to top the medal chart at Beijing.’’Unfortunately though, he feels, British children have too many diversions and there are few sporting programmes at schools. ‘‘Athletics is a combination of skill, endurance and hard work. And when you mix it with the dedication to achieve, you get a heady cocktail. Once you taste that, it gives you enough kick to reach out for more. But British children are today spending more time at playstations and with girls.’’India, he says, has the advantage of having the numbers. But to excel, the system needs to be revamped; children should be lured into taking to sports, especially athletics. That’s where the government comes in. ‘‘Your country has larger market potential and corporate houses should be roped in to sponsor various sporting programmes. I hear a lot of money is eaten up by cricket in your country. The trend can change if you can produce more athletes like Anju Bobby George. I saw her at Athens. But she needs good training and a better coach. I believe she spent time with Mike Powell and it yielded instant result.’’Thompson was, however, happy that there was awareness among athletes on anti-doping laws and the stringent measures that have been introduced to arrest the doping menace.‘‘In my days it was worse. The East German athletes and those from the then Soviet blocs were the real culprits. But the trend is changing and for the better.’’ Thompson may have had all the records that an athlete can only dream about. His unparalleled decathlon success has brought him 19 titles out of 31 meets and every major title open to him. To that extent he is a happy man. Yet, the 47-year-old has one disappointment: not doing a 10-eventer in England despite competing in four decathlons in Wales.
