Bhubaneswar, March 24: Young shot putter Omkar Prasad Nanda resorted to using a worn-out shoe, while runner C Priyanka relied on her experience of training on a curvy track, as athletes and officials adjusted to an unfamiliar setting at the inaugural National Indoor Championships, which began here on Tuesday.
Nanda was among the fortunate few who had been training at the state-of-the-art indoor stadium hosting the championships, as he resides at the residential hostel attached to the facility.
He has been training here for the last 10-14 days but is still mindful of the possibility of slipping on the throwing circle made of wood.
“The throwing circle in outdoor events is made of cement and so there is grip with your shoe and you have more confidence. But in indoor events, the throwing circle is made of wood and is a little bit slippery. So, you have to be careful that you don’t slip and get injured,” said Nanda, who won gold in U-20 section with a throw of 17.77m.
“It can be slippery when you start rotating. If everything is OK at the start of rotation, I get good ascent and distance.
“Luckily, I did not slip today, may be because I have gotten used to it as I’ve been training here for the last 10 to 14 days,” said the Odisha athlete who made his debut indoor competition.
“I also wore an old shoe which I have been using for around two and a half years so that the sole is little worn out and thus has grip. A new shoe may be more slippery,” added Nanda, whose father works in the police department.
On the difference between indoor and outdoor events, he said, “Competition environment is same. But as a thrower, we get wind support outdoors and not in indoors.” Nanda has a outdoor personal best of 18.23m.
“It is the same technique, no different approach for indoor events while training but the platform is different.”
Learning curve for officials too
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has a vast experience of organising national and international events, but is holding an indoor meet for the first time.
“I will not say that it is a very challenging but a learning experience for us also as it is the first indoor event in the country. The rules and regulations are the same, the logistics are almost the same. The only difference is the 200m track which are slopped and more curvy than the outdoors 400m track,” said AFI treasurer and technical committee member Stanley Jones.
“In indoors, there is not impact from winds, temperature and weather variations, it’s a more controlled and consistent environment. Moreover, there will be no impact of rain in indoors and that is a plus point as compared to outdoors.
“On the other hand, indoor events are held one after the other and there is not much gap between the two sessions in a day. Since it is a much smaller space, you can’t hold too many events together. In outdoors, you can hold jump or throw events together but not in indoors. There is no space.”
Interesting case of shot put measurement
In outdoor events, there is a clear mark on the sand or soil where the iron ball lands and measurements are made accordingly for the shot put competition. But indoor competitions use landing mats made of sponge or foam for floor protection and safety. The shot thus will not make a clear mark on the mat and sometimes, it may be difficult for officials to determine the exact first point of contact.
After the competitor tosses the shot, one official who stands near the sets of landing mat and netting system will keep a close eye on where the iron ball lands.
“There will be a depression on the mat when the shot lands and it will last for a few seconds. Based on that, one measuring official will spot the point from where the measurement will have to be made,” said Jones. (PTI)
