Government's Review of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)

29-10-2024

In October 2024, Indian government is re-evaluating the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) After India's disappointing performance at the Paris Olympics,
1. Country got only 6 medals (1 silver and five bronze),
Discussions are taking place within the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC), a committee made up of former athletes, coaches, government officials and administrators.
It aims to streamline financial support and increase accountability among athletes.

Current State of TOPS:

Currently, TOPS supports around 300 athletes across core and developmental groups, providing them with access to public funds for training and preparation.
There is a proposal to significantly reduce the number of athletes receiving financial assistance, potentially halving the current number if stricter selection criteria are implemented.

The Paris Olympics results have forced discussion about the effectiveness of TOPS in preparing athletes to compete at the highest level.
A focus on the criteria for financial support is being emphasized, with an aim to ensure funding is directed towards athletes who have a realistic chance of medaling.
Reports indicate that many athletes have not submitted their expense reports, leading to outstanding bills of approximately ₹10 crore that have yet to be settled.
New contract clauses for the 2028 Olympics cycle may include stricter accountability measures, ensuring that athletes provide transparency in their financial dealings.

Medal Contention: The MOC is considering making the ability to compete for a medal a key benchmark for receiving funding. This aligns with the overarching goal of the scheme.
Subcommittee Formation: The MOC has created multiple subcommittees, each responsible for establishing selection policies for various sports disciplines.
In addition to refining TOPS, there is a proposal to create a Target Asian Games Podium Scheme.
This initiative would support athletes who are capable of competing for medals in the Asian Games but may not have the competitive edge needed for the Olympics.

If the selection rules are tightened, many current beneficiaries of TOPS could lose their funding, sparking concerns among officials from various sports disciplines.
While TOPS provides athletes with unique privileges—such as access to personalized coaching and tailored training programs—those not selected would still have funding options through alternative schemes with fewer benefits.
Some voices within the sports community, including legendary shuttler Prakash Padukone, have said that athletes may have been "pampered" to an extent that affected their drive to excel.
However, the proposals for restructuring funding do not have unanimous support, as there are fears that many deserving athletes could be excluded from the scheme under the new guidelines.

Financial Support: A monthly stipend of ₹50,000 for each athlete.
Training Opportunities: Access to foreign training, international competitions, coaching camps, and essential equipment.

TOPS aims to provide elite athletes with the necessary resources to increase their chances of winning medals at the Olympics.

Launch: TOPS was established with the vision of achieving India’s Olympic medal dreams, particularly focusing on the 2016 (Rio) and 2020 (Tokyo) Olympics.
Elite Athlete Identification: The TOPS Elite Athletes’ Identification Committee was formed to identify athletes capable of reaching the Olympic podium, with a focus on high-priority sports such as archery, badminton, boxing, hockey, shooting, and wrestling.
Committee Composition: The first committee was chaired by Shri Anurag Thakur and included eminent athletes like Pulella Gopichand, Rahul Dravid, Abhinav Bindra, and Manisha Malhotra, alongside sports administrators from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and MYAS.

TOPS has seen notable achievements:

2016 Rio Olympics: Supported athletes like P V Sindhu (silver in badminton) and Sakshi Malik (bronze in wrestling). In the Paralympics, athletes secured 2 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze medal.
2018 Commonwealth Games (CWG): Out of 70 medal-winning athletes, 47 were funded under the TOPS, demonstrating the scheme's effectiveness in enhancing athlete performance.

The Mission Olympic Cell is a dedicated body within the TOPS framework, tasked with supporting selected athletes. Key features include:

Leadership: Chaired by the Director General of SAI, the MOC includes representatives from National Sports Federations (NSFs) and SAI project officers.
Responsibilities: The MOC focuses on:
1. Approving customized training programs for athletes.
2. Recommending financial disbursements for these programs.
3. Monitoring and reviewing athlete progress.
4. Addressing unanticipated needs of athletes.
5. Maintaining regular communication with athletes about their training and performance.

Regular Meetings: The MOC conducts weekly meetings to evaluate athlete proposals and performance.
Assessment Criteria: The committee periodically reviews athletes' progress to make decisions regarding inclusion, retention, or exclusion from the TOPS.