Anju, a leap of faith for Indians

It was the most important leap of her life. And for Indians, it was the great leap of hope. She has been in spotlight ever since she won bronze medal each at Commonwealth Games and then World Championships.

It was the most important leap of her life. And for others round her, it was the great leap of hope.

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For months at end, the focus had been on her. Virtually every move had been tracked, be it in Doha, Madrid, Stockholm or wherever else. From the day she moved into the spotlight with her bronze medal at Commonwealth Games and then the bronze at World Championships, Anju Bobby George, has been in the news.

Whether it is a question of her visas getting delayed or a sneeze that is interpreted as a 'high fever', or fulfilling a life-long wish of going to the Vatican, Anju has been news.

On Wednesday night, when she came into the cauldron called the Olympic Stadium, there sure must have been huge pressure on her. She also has a tendency to foul an early jump or two. In fact many leading stars do that while trying to find that right step and the right spring. Marion Jones did that a few minutes before Anju went for her first jump. But this time, Anju was not taking any chances.

She and her husband-cum-coach Bobby George had planned every small detail - the number of steps in the run-up, the speed to be attained and even the 'margin' of few centimeters before the board to ensure a safe jump."