Page 27 - Sportability

perform today?” This query emphasizes the necessity
for instruments that can gauge both physical and
mental preparedness. For instance, insufficient
sleep has been shown to adversely impact mood and
performance, which is why it’s critical to track heart
rate in the morning.

A symposium featuring specialists from AIIMS, NITI
Aayog, and other universities was held at IIT Delhi
approximately three months ago. The symposium
covered four main topics, one of which was leveraging
technology to improve athlete performance. As a result,
the AMC Junior Campus created a vertical centered on
fusing technology and medical physiology to improve Commodore Garg discussed about the TOPS program
performance. The strategy uses artificial intelligence and stated that it was commenced in response to India’s
(AI) and sensor technology to interpret the massive Olympic victory in London. TOPS was established in
volumes of athlete data that have been gathered. 2014 as a result of the new administration led by Prime
Minister Modi’s emphasis on providing athletes with
AI, for instance, can be used to evaluate an athlete’s direct support outside of the framework of already-
daily performance data to offer insights and training existing government programs. Even though the
modifications. Researchers are also investigating the initiative got off to a poor start, it picked up right before
use of virtual reality (VR) as a training aid for athletes in the Olympics in Rio and took off in 2018 when the Sports
controlled settings. Authority of India established a dedicated secretariat.

Experts like Dr Satyapal are crucial in creating an Commodore Garg underlined the importance of the
ecosystem that is successful for the growth of athletes. financial assistance it provides, especially for young
They can advise athletes on the sports that are most athletes. The impact of this support will be visible in the
suited for them, such as switching their concentration upcoming years.
from 400-meter races to 5000-meter races. To
maximize training, Brig. Nayak’s team can then In addition, he emphasized the program’s role in
research and use the most recent scientific discoveries. promoting gender equality, especially in areas
Ultimately, the biological sciences are essential to like Haryana where female athletes are becoming
comprehending and improving athletic performance more well-known and elevating their families and
via technology. communities. Better sex ratios, favourable attitudes
toward women, and increased pride in female athletes
CREATING AN ECOSYSTEM: are the results of this change.
ENHANCING ATHLETE PERFORMANCE
WITH TECHNOLOGY, AI, AND Commodore Garg reported that TOPS presently assists
COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT 57 para-athletes by giving them access to training
options and equipment, including overseas training.
“There is no distinction whether you For instance, the program fully supports several para-
are, able-bodied or you’re a para- athletes who are now training in the USA. The fact that
athlete, all the facilities and the
support are the same. Absolutely no 51% of the medals at the most recent Asian Games
distinction”. were won by the female athletes shows that there is no
Commodore P.K. Garg disparity in the support provided based on gender.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Target Olympic
Podium Scheme (TOPS)
Commodore Garg emphasized the significant
influence TOPS has on athletes’ lives, particularly
Commodore P.K. Garg, a three-decade Navy the athletes with varying abilities. The program
veteran and national level sports champion, is currently changes cultural perceptions and promotes pride
a sports administrator in charge of the Target Olympic in athletic accomplishments in addition to helping
Podium Scheme (TOPS). He discussed his opinions on individuals and bringing honour to their families and
the TOPS scheme and how it has transformed Indian communities.
sports landscape.

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