Olympic qualifications have become extremely difficult, asserts Dipa Karmakar

After making the nation proud with her exploits in the women’s vault finals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Karmakar is now eying the Tokyo Olympics to be held in 2020. Injury issues kept the Tripura sportswoman out of action from the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games Finals last year. However, the 25-year-old was still able to secure the bronze medal at the World Cup in Cottbus, Germany towards the end of the 2018 season.

She has now mentioned that it will not be easy for her to get a ticket for the 2020 Tokyo Games because of some important rule changes regarding the qualification process for the Olympics. 

“There have been several rule changes when it comes to Olympic qualifications and it has become extremely difficult. There has been a reduction in quota places. On the other hand, this will benefit the traditional gymnastics powerhouses like USA and Russia. For those like us who struggle to make the cut, it’s going to be even tougher,” Dipa told TOI during the launch ceremony of her biography - Dipa Karmakar, The Small Wonder. 

“For example, only the winner of every apparatus at the eight World Cups is guaranteed a place at the Olympics. Apart from that, there are a host of other rules in place.”

Karmakar is the face of the sport in the country now and many youngsters are picking up the gymnastics after her inspirational performance at the Rio Games. However, she urged the administrators to organize the national competitions and also stressed on the importance of holding camps regularly for upcoming players. 

“First of all, the gymnastics Nationals should be held urgently because it’s difficult for gymnasts to progress if they are not competing. Not everyone can reach international levels if they don’t get exposure. Also, camps should be held regularly. And whatever problems are there in the federation should be resolved for the betterment of gymnastics,” the gymnast explained.