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Harmilan Bains, a renowned Indian middle-distance runner, has faced adversity with resilience and determination. After an undefeated 2021 season, she underwent knee surgery that sidelined her for 10 months. Upon her return, she triumphed with silver medals in the 800m and 1500m at the 2022 Asian Games.Despite her past success, Bains experienced a setback when she failed to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. This led to a period of depression and suicidal thoughts. However, she drew strength from her situation and shared an inspiring message for young athletes."Enjoy your sport, don't be stressed," Bains advised. "I was under stress after missing my Olympics. I was almost in depression. Thoughts were coming in my mind, like suicide and just quitting everything, run away from my city."Bains emphasized the importance of parental support and encouraged youngsters to pursue their passions without excessive pressure. "My message to the parents is to let your child do whatever they want to and to the youngsters it is never too late to change your sport, your profession just enjoy whatever it is you're doing," she said.As a guest of honor at the 63rd Subroto Cup Junior Boys tournament, Bains praised the event for its contribution to grassroots football development. "I would like to thank the Air Force for bringing me out here as I am enjoying a lot and it's a really good opportunity for the athletes to perform at such a platform at such a young age," she added.Manipur's T.G English School emerged victorious in the tournament, defeating Meghalaya's Myngken Christian Higher Secondary School in a sudden death tie-breaker.Bains also celebrated the remarkable performance of the Indian contingent at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. India surpassed its previous record of 19 medals at the Tokyo Paralympics, winning 29 medals and finishing 18th in the medal tally. "I am so happy for the para-athletes and it was the first time India ranked so high in the medal tally," Bains concluded.

In the realm of sports, setbacks and triumphs are intertwined, shaping the journeys of athletes. The Tokyo Olympics witnessed several such tales of resilience and redemption.Simon Biles, the gymnastics icon, faced the dreaded "twisties" in Tokyo, a mental block that threatened her Olympic dreams. Yet, she persevered, winning her eighth Olympic medal and becoming the most decorated gymnast in US history. Her triumph was not merely a victory on the scoreboard but a testament to her mental fortitude.Manu Bhaker, India's shooting prodigy, endured relentless trolling after a disappointing performance in Tokyo. The pressure and self-doubt nearly shattered her spirit. However, she found solace in taking a break and rediscovering her love for the sport.China's diving "Dream Team" suffered a rare setback in Tokyo, losing their four-decade-long streak in men's synchro platform. The defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, but it ignited a fire within Cao Yuan and Chen Aisen. They vowed to return stronger, proving that even in the face of adversity, redemption is possible.American sprinter Noah Lyles, after a bronze medal in the 200 meters, realized the need for a change. He embraced discomfort, competing in events that challenged his limits. His silver medal in the 60 meters at the Indoor World Championships boosted his confidence, reminding him that setbacks can be stepping stones to success.These athletes' journeys highlight the transformative power of setbacks. They teach us that failure is not a dead end but an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. By embracing the lessons learned from adversity, athletes can emerge stronger, more resilient, and with a renewed appreciation for the joy of victory.

How Indian Athletes Cope with Pre-Competition Pressure at Paris OlympicsAs the Indian contingent prepares to kick off their campaign at the Paris Olympics, athletes are employing various strategies to manage the immense pressure and external distractions that come with competing on the world's biggest sporting stage.Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic gold medalist, emphasizes the importance of accepting the pressure rather than fighting it. "The best way to deal with the pressure is to stop fighting it. Just accept it and you'll be fine," he advises.Manu Bhaker, who experienced a disappointing performance at the Tokyo Games, has adopted a more relaxed approach this time around. "I am more relaxed. I am not telling myself, 'do this, do that,'" she says. She finds solace in playing the violin, journaling, and reading.Rhythm Sangwan, another pistol shooter, uses music to create her own zone. "It helps me find my zone. I might even curate a playlist for Paris," she says.Boxer Nikhat Zareen has chosen to disconnect from social media and focus solely on her training. "It's better to avoid distractions. I have cut down on my public appearances and I will soon disappear from social media too. Paris is my sole focus," she says.Rafael Nadal's pre-match cold shower ritual is a testament to the power of habits in helping athletes stay focused. "It helps me enter a new space in which I feel my power and resilience grow," he writes in his autobiography.Staying in the moment is crucial for athletes to shut out the noise. "Embrace the moment rather than succumb to it because a night before the final, all the talk about confidence and technique goes out of the window," says Bindra.Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic and world champion, believes in staying away from the distractions of home. "Over-reliance on a particular routine can be counterproductive because you won't find that curated atmosphere all the time," says his physiotherapist, Ishaan Marwaha.PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, found peace and quiet in Saarbrucken in the lead-up to the Olympics. "I can focus better," she says.Ultimately, each athlete has their own unique way of coping with the pressure of the Olympics. But one thing is clear: the ability to find their zone and shut out the noise will be essential for success in Paris.

Paris Olympics: A Dedicated Mental Health Zone for AthletesAt the upcoming Paris Olympics, athletes will have access to a first-of-its-kind mental health zone, known as the Athlete365 Mind Zone. This dedicated space, located within the Athletes Village, aims to address the growing recognition of the importance of mental well-being in elite sports.The Mind Zone is designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for athletes to prioritize their mental health. It features areas for guided meditation, sleep pods, yoga, and art therapy. Trained officials are also available to offer support and guidance to athletes who may be experiencing mental health concerns.The establishment of the Mind Zone is a significant step by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to promote mental health awareness and reduce the stigma associated with it. At the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, the IOC introduced a 24/7 helpline with mental health counselors, and the Paris Olympics will expand on this initiative with the dedicated zone.The need for such a space has been highlighted by the increasing number of elite athletes who have spoken out about their mental health struggles. From Naomi Osaka's withdrawal from the French Open to Simone Biles's decision to pull out of multiple events in Tokyo due to "twisties," mental health has become a prominent topic in the sports world.In India, too, athletes like Lakshya Sen and Anjum Moudgil have shared their experiences with mental health issues. Moudgil, who has dealt with imposter syndrome and a loss of form, believes that the Mind Zone will provide a valuable resource for athletes."I'm willing to experience it. It's a very positive change," said Moudgil. "There are a lot of athletes now who have started to talk about mental health."The IOC's Athlete365 survey revealed that mental health is a top priority for athletes. The Mind Zone is designed to create a space where athletes can prioritize their mental well-being alongside their physical health."The entire space is designed around decompression and disconnection," said Kirsty Burrows, Head of the IOC's Safe Sport Unit. "We want to try and make sure that we promote this concept and destigmatize conversations around mental health."The Mind Zone is a testament to the growing recognition of the importance of mental health in sports. It provides a safe and supportive environment for athletes to prioritize their well-being and seek help when needed.

Anjum Moudgil, a former world no. 1 shooter, has overcome mental challenges to secure a berth at the Paris Olympics. After being left out of the Indian team for the Asian Games and World Championships last year, Moudgil worked on her mental toughness and focused on her training.Moudgil, who competed in two events in Tokyo, will only participate in the women's 50m 3 position in Paris. She admitted that being dropped from the team for the Worlds and Asian Games due to inconsistent form was an eye-opener."I really took advantage of quotas and trials," Moudgil said. "I was too focused and positive in giving my best in the trials. I knew my strengths and how to work under pressure, and it paid off."Moudgil emphasized the importance of mental health, noting that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has set up a Mentally Fit Helpline for athletes. "It's so important for all the federations and IOC to understand," she said. "It's important to understand the mental side, understand how it works for an athlete, understand mental toughness."India has named a strong 21-member shooting contingent for the Paris Games, including many youngsters. Moudgil is confident in the team's abilities. "All of them are confident, the team is doing very well," she said. "My expectation is for everyone to give their best, everyone going with a positive mindset."Moudgil is counting on her difficult Tokyo experience to shine in Paris. "Competing in one rather than two events both have positive and negative sides, but I am happy," she said. "The competition is very high in India and the pressure situations we face during trials will definitely help in Olympics."The shooting competitions of the Paris Olympics will be held at the National Shooting Center in Châteauroux, France. Moudgil is currently in Luxembourg for the final phase of her training before heading to France on July 21st.

India's hockey team has faced a series of setbacks in recent months, including a disappointing performance at the 2023 World Cup. However, the team has been working to rebuild its momentum and belief through a series of team-building exercises designed to foster friendship, trust, and bonding within the group.Chief coach Craig Fulton and mental health expert Paddy Upton have implemented a variety of activities to help the team detach itself from hockey and focus on other aspects of their lives. These activities have included swimming, surfing, hiking, and even making short films.The team's recent success in the Pro League, where they defeated 2016 Rio Olympics champions Argentina, is a testament to the importance of keeping the mood light and fostering a positive team environment."These activities will not necessarily improve your hockey but what it will improve are your relationships, understanding and trust of your teammates," says Fulton. "Investing in team and individuals and doing things outside hockey are ways to refuel the process because if you just train, you’ll end up running out of fuel."The team's bonding exercises have also helped them to develop a better understanding of each other's strengths and weaknesses. During a hike up Table Mountain in South Africa, the team realized that they needed to look after everyone, communicate, understand, and go up together."They were small but important things. Some had issues with the altitude, some were nervous looking at the climb, some got tired. The idea was to support, boost each other and take everyone along. That is how you win," said India forward Lalit Upadhyay.The team's bonding exercises have also helped them to develop a greater sense of creativity and presence of mind. During an "Oscar night" event, the team was divided into groups and had to make short films based on certain themes. The entire squad then watched the films together during a special screening which turned out to be a laugh riot following which ‘Oscar’ awards were also handed out."The name of our movie was Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar. Just think – Akashdeep (Singh) was a king who had to deliver justice. Raj(kumar Pal) was playing a female dancer who had been teased. I was senapati (military chief), the movie was shot by Shamsher (Singh). It was super fun. All teams had a director, actors, cameramen. We shot the entire day and it was screened during a team dinner. The entire campus was filled with laughter," says Hardik.The team's bonding exercises have been a key factor in their recent success. They have helped the team to build a stronger foundation and to develop a greater sense of trust and camaraderie. These exercises will continue to be an important part of the team's preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics.