Indian Contingent Prepares for Paris Olympics with 117 Athletes

The Indian contingent is gearing up for the 2024 Paris Olympics, with 117 athletes set to represent the nation. This marks a slight decrease from the 124 athletes who competed in Tokyo in 2021. India will be vying for a total of 95 medals across 69 events.

A significant 61% of the Indian athletes will be making their Olympic debut in Paris, with 72 individuals experiencing the Games for the first time. The contingent's oldest member is tennis legend Rohan Bopanna, who will be making his third Olympic appearance at the age of 44.

Athletics remains the largest contributor to the Indian contingent, with 29 athletes set to compete. Shooting has also made a strong showing, with India's shooters securing quotas in every category for the first time. This has resulted in a record 21 shooters representing the country.

India will be competing in 16 sports disciplines, with 8 of them having produced medals for the nation in the past. Five returning medallists will be looking to add to their tally in Paris: Neeraj Chopra (javelin), PV Sindhu (badminton), Mirabai Chanu (weightlifting), Lovlina Borgohain (boxing), and the Indian men's hockey team.

Parul Chaudhary and Manu Bhaker are the only two athletes who will be competing in multiple individual events. Chaudhary will participate in the women's 5000m run and 3000m steeplechase, while Bhaker will compete in the women's 10m air pistol and 25m pistol.

PV Sindhu stands out as the only Indian athlete to have won multiple individual Olympic medals. She is now aiming to become the first Indian to win individual medals at three consecutive Olympics. Aman Shehrawat is the sole Indian male wrestler who will be competing in Paris.

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