Badminton

Tanmay Garg and Shantanu Barve, two 23-year-old Indian expats living in Paris, found themselves immersed in the excitement of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite their contrasting interests in sports, they shared a common desire to witness the spectacle firsthand.Garg, an investment banker from New Delhi, had little knowledge of badminton but was eager to experience the Olympic atmosphere. Barve, on the other hand, was a passionate badminton enthusiast from Pune, eager to witness the sport's finest athletes in action.Together, they secured tickets to watch India's Lakshya Sen compete in the badminton semifinals. As they waited for Sen's match, Barve patiently explained the intricacies of badminton to Garg, covering everything from scoring to court dimensions.By the time Sen took to the court against Denmark's Viktor Axelsen, Garg had transformed into a badminton expert. He eagerly shared his newfound knowledge with Barve, even interjecting with cricket analogies to illustrate the game's dynamics.Barve was thrilled to witness Sen's remarkable performance, having purchased the tickets months in advance without knowing the lineup. He was equally impressed by Spain's Carolina Marin, despite her unfortunate injury. Garg, too, was captivated by the intensity of the competition and the proximity of an Indian athlete to an Olympic medal.Their Olympic experience extended beyond badminton. They marveled at the architectural grandeur of the Eiffel Tower, soaked in the vibrant atmosphere of the Champs-Élysées, and sampled the delectable pastries at local patisseries.As they bid farewell to the Olympics, Garg and Barve reflected on their unforgettable journey. They had not only witnessed sporting excellence but had also forged a deeper bond through their shared experience.

Indian Athletes Shine on Day 5 of Paris OlympicsDay 5 of the Paris Olympics witnessed a flurry of action for the Indian contingent, with athletes competing in archery, boxing, shooting, badminton, table tennis, and equestrian.In badminton, HS Prannoy staged a remarkable comeback after losing the first game to defeat Le Duc Phat in the men's singles group stage. Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu also secured victories, advancing to the round of 16.However, India faced disappointment in table tennis as Sreeja Akula and Manika Batra were eliminated in the round of 16. In archery, Deepika Kumari progressed to the round of 16 in the women's individual event, while Tarundeep Rai bowed out in the men's round of 64.Boxing brought success for India as Lovlina Borgohain defeated Sunniva Hofstad in the women's 75kg round of 16, securing a spot in the quarterfinals. Nishant Dev also advanced to the quarterfinals in the men's 71kg category.In shooting, Swapnil Kusale finished seventh in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions, qualifying for the final. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, however, was eliminated after placing 11th. Shreyasi Singh and Rajeshwari Kumari finished 23rd and 22nd, respectively, in the women's trap qualification.In equestrian, Anush Agarwalla was knocked out after finishing ninth in Group E with horse Sir Caramello Old.