August 15, 2004

Anju Bobby George stretching for long jump goldSports

Anju Bobby George is India’s best shot at an individual medal in Athens and was the flag carrier during the opening ceremonies. She placed third in women’s long jump at the 2003 World Athletic Championships in Paris and has been training with men’s long jump record holder Mike Powell in California:

Her husband Bobby, a champion triple-jumper, was the youngest of eight brothers moulded by their father into a volleyball team. The George Brothers would play on the volleyball court in their Kerala home at Peravoor and, though all were adept, Jimmy was the star. He played for India and on the European circuit before being killed in a car accident in the 1980s. Jimmy’s popularity — he played the sport for 17 years — was such that the Italians, the World Cup winners, constructed an indoor stadium and named it after him.

Track and field begins Wed., Aug. 18, and continues through the end of the Olympics.

Update: George just landed an endorsement contract with Nike.

manish on August 15, 2004 06:22 PM in Sports · T·r·a·c·k·b·a·c·k address · Direct link · Email post