Speed, strength, courage – Can Hanuman as Thai athletic games mascot up India's tally?

New Delhi: Lord Hanuman has been chosen as the mascot of the 25th Asian Athletics Championships in Thailand for his "speed, strength, courage, and wisdom". Organisers of the games, the Asian Athletics Association, said Hanuman shows these "extraordinary abilities in (Lord) Rama's service", but his greatest strength was his "loyalty and devotion". Hanuman on the logo, the association said, indicates the athletes participating in the games would show the same skills, teamwork, athleticism, dedication and sportsmanship. While Thailand is a majority Hindu nation, its culture, architecture and heritage is replete with Hindu influences. Its association with India is two centuries…