The Olympics, a symbol of international sportsmanship and excellence, trace their origins back to ancient Greece, with the modern revival occurring in 1896. This global event has grown to become the pinnacle of athletic competition, where nations showcase their best talent across a wide array of sports. The Paris 2024 Olympics, held from July 25 to August 11, is no exception, bringing together the world’s elite athletes, including a formidable contingent from India.
India’s Presence at the Paris 2024 Olympics
India’s campaign at the Paris 2024 Olympics began with archery on July 25. This year, India has sent a robust delegation of 112 athletes competing in 69 medal events across 16 sports: archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, equestrian, golf, hockey, judo, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming, wrestling, table tennis, and tennis.
The athletics squad, led by Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Neeraj Chopra, is the largest with 29 members. Meanwhile, the shooting contingent, with 21 shooters, marks India’s largest-ever participation in the sport.
India’s Olympic Achievements to Date
Heading into Paris 2024, India has accumulated a total of 35 Olympic medals: 10 gold, nine silver, and 16 bronze. As the games progress, Indian athletes are not only aiming for more medals but are also setting new records and milestones.
Highlights of India’s Performance at Paris 2024
Manu Bhaker’s Historic Feats
- First Indian Woman to Win a Shooting Medal: Manu Bhaker made history by winning the bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event on July 28, becoming the first Indian woman to earn an Olympic shooting medal.
- First Indian Woman in Olympic Shooting Finals since 2004: She reached the finals of the women’s 10m air pistol, a feat not achieved by an Indian woman since Athens 2004.
- Double Medal Achievement: Manu Bhaker, alongside Sarabjot Singh, won a bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, making her the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single Olympics.
Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula in Table Tennis
- Manika Batra’s Pre-Quarterfinal Achievement: Seeded 18th, Manika became the first Indian table tennis player to reach the pre-quarterfinals at the Olympics, starting with a win over Anna Hursey and advancing past Prithika Pavade before losing to Miu Hirano.
- Sreeja Akula’s Strong Debut: Olympic debutant Sreeja Akula joined Manika in the round of 16 with victories over Christina Kallberg and Zeng Jian, eventually falling to Sun Yingsha of China on her 26th birthday.
Shooting Triumphs and Disappointments
- Swapnil Kusale’s Bronze: Swapnil Kusale clinched a bronze in the men’s 50m rifle three positions event on August 1, making it India’s third bronze in shooting at Paris 2024.
- Disappointments: Top contenders Sift Kaur Sama and Anjum Moudgil were knocked out in the women’s 50m three positions air rifle, and boxer Nikhat Zareen lost in the quarter-finals to China’s Wu Yu.
Other Notable Performances
- Hockey and Badminton Setbacks: The Indian men’s hockey team suffered their first loss against Belgium. In badminton, the men’s doubles pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy were defeated in the quarter-finals.
- Lakshya Sen’s Victory: In a noteworthy all-Indian match, Lakshya Sen defeated HS Prannoy to advance to the quarter-finals in men’s singles badminton.
The Paris 2024 Olympics have seen Indian athletes striving for excellence and achieving significant milestones. From historic wins in shooting to breakthrough performances in table tennis, India’s presence at the Games underscores the nation’s growing prowess in diverse sports. As the Games continue, the Indian contingent remains focused on securing more medals and creating lasting legacies in the annals of Olympic history.
