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At just 14 years of age, Dhinidhi Desinghu has become the youngest Indian swimmer to compete at the Olympics. Hailing from Bengaluru, she represented India in the 200m freestyle event at the Paris 2024 Summer Games.Despite finishing 23rd out of 31 competitors with a time of 2:06.96, Desinghu's Olympic debut was a memorable experience. "Just getting a chance to be here with all these amazing athletes is such an amazing opportunity," she said. "I am just really happy I got a chance to be swimming at such an amazing venue at the Olympics."Desinghu's journey to the Olympics has been marked by impressive achievements at the national level. She has also represented India at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou and the World Aquatics Championships in Doha earlier this year.Despite her young age, Desinghu has shown remarkable resilience and determination. She used to experience nervousness before competitions, but has overcome this challenge to become a formidable competitor.After completing her events in Paris, Desinghu attended a meet and greet at India House, where she interacted with fans and shared her Olympic experience. Her shy demeanor and youthful enthusiasm made her a popular figure among the audience.Desinghu's Olympic debut is a testament to her talent and hard work. She is an inspiration to young athletes across India, demonstrating that age is no barrier to achieving dreams.

India's contingent for the 2024 Paris Olympics boasts a diverse mix of experienced veterans and promising newcomers. With 117 athletes across 16 disciplines, India aims to make a significant impact on the global stage.Among the notable names are Rohan Bopanna (tennis), Sharath Kamal (table tennis), and PV Sindhu (badminton), all of whom have multiple Olympic appearances under their belt. Five of the seven medal winners from Tokyo 2020 are also part of the contingent.However, over half of the Indian athletes will be experiencing the Olympics for the first time. One such debutant is 14-year-old swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu, the youngest Indian in the contingent. Desinghu, who was awarded the Universality quota, will compete in the women's 200m freestyle event alongside her idol, Katie Ledecky.Despite her young age, Desinghu has already made a mark in international competitions, participating in the 2022 Asian Games and the 2024 World Aquatics Championships.In boxing, Nikhat Zareen, the reigning world champion in the 50kg weight category, is poised to emerge from Mary Kom's shadow and become a potential face of Indian boxing.Wrestling also features promising young talents, including Antim Panghal and Reetika. Panghal, a two-time junior world champion, has already won a bronze medal at the senior World Wrestling Championships. Reetika, the first Indian woman to qualify in the women's 76kg weight class, is looking to emulate Sakshi Malik's medal-winning performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics.Seasoned stars like Kishore Kumar Jena (javelin throw), Jyothi Yarraji (hurdles), and Parul Chaudhary (steeplechase) are also making their Olympic debuts and have the potential to surprise.In badminton, Lakshya Sen, a former world championship bronze medalist, will be vying for a medal in men's singles alongside HS Prannoy.India's contingent is a testament to the country's growing sporting prowess and the dedication of its athletes. With a blend of experience and youthful exuberance, India is poised to make a strong showing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.