Way off track: When will our athletes get the support they deserve?

If Indian athletes are making news – Neeraj Chopra, the men’s relay team – it is still despite, rather than because of, the system meant to support them.

The recently concluded World Athletics Championships in Budapest were historic for India because of a man who now turns up at events pretty much to create history. Neeraj Chopra is no longer a revelation. He is the preeminent thrower of his time. He is the World, Olympic and Asian champion.

But there was an unexpectedly thrilling moment for India at the Worlds too, as Rajesh Ramesh, 24, almost overtook American runner Justin Robinson, one of the best 400m runners in