Recap of India at Paris Olympics 2024

The Paris Olympics 2024 was a milestone event for India, showcasing the country’s growth in various sports on the global stage. While several Indian Athletes returned disappointed, some significant players created a positive impact. Instilling hope for the future Indian Olympians.

India sent a contingent of 117 athletes who competed across 16 different sports, marking a significant leap in representation compared to previous editions. The games, held from July 26 to August 11, 2024, featured moments of glory, heartbreak, and hope for future achievements. Though India’s medal tally—six medals, including one silver and five bronze. Falling short of their Tokyo 2020 tally, the nation made history in several key areas.

India’s Medal Performance: A Closer Look

India’s medal tally of one silver and five bronze medals may have been less than expected, but it was filled with historic achievements and firsts for the country.

Neeraj Chopra – Silver (Men’s Javelin Throw):
Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic gold medallist from Tokyo 2020, secured silver in Paris, becoming the first Indian to win Olympic medals in two consecutive games. Chopra’s consistency in global competitions has established him as a dominant force in athletics, making him one of the most successful Indian Olympians of all time.

2. Manu Bhaker – Two Bronze Medals (Shooting, Women’s 10m Air Pistol and Mixed 10m Air Pistol):
Manu Bhaker had a stellar performance, winning two bronze medals, one in the individual women’s 10m air pistol event and another in the mixed 10m air pistol team event with Sarabjot Singh. This made Bhaker the first Indian to win two medals at a single Olympic Games, a major milestone in Indian shooting.

3. Swapnil Kusale – Bronze (Shooting, Men’s 50m Rifle Three Positions):
Swapnil Kusale’s bronze medal added another feather to India’s cap in shooting, a sport that proved to be one of the strongest disciplines for the nation at the 2024 Paris Olympic games.

4. Indian Men’s Hockey Team – Bronze (Men’s Field Hockey):
The Indian men’s hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, replicated their Tokyo 2020 success by winning another bronze medal, defeating Spain in a thrilling third-place match. This win reinforced India’s stature as a force to be reckoned with in hockey, a sport that has historically contributed the most Olympic medals to the country.

5. Aman Sehrawat – Bronze (Wrestling, Men’s Freestyle 57 kg):
Aman Sehrawat, competing in his first Olympics, made history by becoming the youngest Indian Olympic medallist when he won bronze in wrestling. His achievement continues India’s strong tradition in wrestling, a sport that has consistently produced Olympic medals for the nation.

Near Misses: Heartbreaks at Paris Olympics 2024

India also experienced a number of near-misses, with six athletes finishing in the dreaded fourth position, just shy of the podium.

Lakshya Sen (Badminton): Sen came so close to securing a medal but lost in the bronze medal match.
Mirabai Chanu (Weightlifting): Chanu, a silver medallist at Tokyo 2020, was a strong contender but narrowly missed out on a podium finish in the women’s 49 kg category.
Manu Bhaker (Shooting): Despite her two bronze medals, Bhaker also came close to securing a third in a different event, finishing fourth.

Additionally, wrestler Vinesh Phogat suffered a significant setback when she was disqualified ahead of what could have been a historic final match. Phogat’s exit added to the list of disappointments that marred India’s 2024 Paris campaign.

Sports India Participated In

India’s participation in the Paris Olympics 2024 was diverse, with athletes competing in 16 sports. Here’s a breakdown of the key sports and the athletes who represented the country:

Athletics:

Neeraj Chopra (Javelin Throw): Silver medallist and one of India’s most successful athletes.
Other participants included long-distance runners and sprinters who, despite putting up commendable performances, did not reach the podium.

Shooting:

Manu Bhaker (Women’s 10m Air Pistol): Double bronze medallist.
Sarabjot Singh (Mixed 10m Air Pistol): Partnered with Bhaker to win a bronze.
Swapnil Kusale (Men’s 50m Rifle Three Positions): Bronze medallist.
Several other shooters, including Elavenil Valarivan and Divyansh Panwar, were part of India’s formidable shooting squad.

Badminton:

PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen were India’s top badminton contenders. While Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, could not replicate her past success, Sen had a strong showing, narrowly missing a medal.

Wrestling:

Aman Sehrawat (Men’s Freestyle 57 kg): Won bronze, continuing India’s legacy in wrestling.
Other notable wrestlers, including Bajrang Punia and Ravi Kumar Dahiya, failed to secure medals despite strong showings.

Field Hockey:

Men’s Hockey Team: Won bronze for the second consecutive Olympics.
The women’s hockey team, which had a breakout performance at Tokyo 2020, did not secure a medal but continued to show promise.

Boxing:

Lovlina Borgohain was a returning Olympic medallist, having won bronze at Tokyo 2020. However, she and other Indian boxers were unable to secure a podium finish in Paris.

Archery:
India’s archers, including Atanu Das and Deepika Kumari, put up a competitive fight but fell short of medals in what was a challenging field.
Weightlifting:

Mirabai Chanu, a silver medallist from Tokyo 2020, narrowly missed out on a medal this time around, finishing fourth.

Table Tennis, Tennis, Swimming, Golf, Equestrian, Judo, Rowing, Sailing:
India also participated in these sports, though no medals were won. The experience, however, served as a valuable stepping stone for the Indian athletes involved, especially in sports like rowing and sailing where India is still building a competitive presence.

India’s Growth and Future Potential

India’s performance at the Paris Olympics 2024, while not the best in terms of medal count, suggested that the country is steadily evolving into a global sporting force. The nation’s increased representation in diverse sports is a clear indication of the growing focus on sports infrastructure and athlete development. India’s rise in shooting, wrestling, and athletics, in particular, is a testament to the improving support systems for athletes.

Looking ahead, India’s consistent performance in sports like shooting and wrestling, along with the emergence of young talent such as Aman Sehrawat, provides hope for better results in future Games. The heartbreaks and near-misses in Paris will also serve as motivation for athletes to refine their skills and strategies, aiming for a stronger showing in future editions of the Olympics.

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India’s journey at the Paris Olympics 2024 was a reflection of the country’s growing ambition on the global sporting stage. While there were moments of disappointment, with missed medal opportunities and some high-profile disqualifications, there were also many firsts and historic achievements.

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