Bangladesh’s Team for the Beijing Olympics

Unfortunately none of the athletes in Bangladesh qualified for this year’s Olympic Games. But, then again, Bangladesh has not had an athlete qualify since 1971. This fact, which is always brought up in the media, does not dampen the spirits of the country, which keeps on trying and applying for wild card entries to partake in the Olympic Games. Their determination and great desire to take part in the Beijing Olympics won Bangladesh five wild card entries and an invitation for one their female shooters to attend as a spectator.

Many of the athletes have very limited resources available to them in regard to training facilities and they are not paid for their efforts, meaning that athletes have to keep regular jobs to buy their nutritional food. Sporting authorities are trying their best to improve these conditions, but until then, the athletes will still give it their all and do their best to make their country proud.

The two 100 meter sprint athletes taking part in the Beijing Olympics are Abu Abdullah for the men’s division and Nahar Beauty in the female event. The 100 m sprint for men takes place on Friday 15 August 2008 and the 100 m sprint for woman on Saturday, 16 August 2008. Both athletes commented that they will be aiming to improve their own personal times and to gain experience by competing on this level.

Imam Hossain took part in the 10 m Air Rifle event for men on Monday, but could not make it past the preliminary round, with a total point of 581 and a ranking of 46. In the swimming, Mohammad Rubel Rana finished the 100 m backstroke in a time of 1:04.82 in the preliminary round, which was unfortunately not fast enough to see him through to the qualifiers. Doli Akhter will be swimming in her preliminary round for the 50 m Freestyle in the forth group on 15 August 2008 and with her previous experience in being part of the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, it is hoped that she will be able to make it to the next round.

On a positive note, however, the national anthem of Bangladesh, which was written by Rabindranath Tagore, was chosen as one of the top ten anthems for its musical quality, which earned them a silver medal. Hopefully, the Beijing Olympics will be as good to their athletes.