Topic: Indian perspective at Americans

[Dave Chiu]

It was great to have some top lifters from Canada in AZ this wknd -- too bad we didn't see Mexicans too.

I got to chat w/ Beijing Olympian (62B's) J. Singh while watching a later session.  Great athlete and very dignified.

I asked about the unusual rip his hand suffered during SN on his way to the win -- it was actually of the thin skin near the base of the thumb, just above the webbing.  No doubt very painful -- he probably left more blood on the bar than all others combined.

Mr. Singh has a very patient way of talking, wanting to be clear rather than just heard.  He emigrated from India after his early teens, so doesn't have the advantage that younger transplants seem to have w/ language, but he has a lot to tell.

His perspective on the India scandal is that it is more of a bureaucratic SNAFU than a cheating scandal.

Also got to meet the successful coach of the system that will continue to make Quebec a major center of lifting in ALL the America's -- he actually has hundreds of school kids involved thru in-school programs (maybe we should make FR the official US language...).

VERY interesting to see the CAN 69 lifter go 25/45/105 after a possible elbow injury on her last SN.

We should have A LOT MORE combined competition w/ these great neighbors to the north (no doubt they were glad to go to AZ instead of MN/MI/etc.)!!

[Owen Duguay]

Dave:  I fully agree that Jasvir is a great lifter and has a great personality also.   I just wanted to thank you for your kind words and for your generous praise.   We Canadians and Americians have the chance to participate in a sport that is available to all both young and not so young.   We are lucky that we have officiels, athletes, and coaches that promote good values both in sport and in sportsmanship.  There is no better place to live and lift than in Canada or the United States of America.   Have a nice day Dave. 

[Laurent Goyette]

I have gotten to know Jasvir over the last year. He has won my respect, which is a hard thing to do. I respect people who have dreams and give all they have in order to achieve them. I respect people who build something. Jasvir's push for the olympics is stuff of legend. I admire this guy. No matter what people say about him, he's still delivering on the plateform. I believe he has done more for Canadian weightlifting than a lot of people who have been involved in the federation for years. He has inspired people.