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Indian rower Balraj Panwar's Olympic debut came to an end with a fifth-place finish in the men's singles sculls final D at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Panwar clocked 7:02.37 to rank fifth in the classification event, finishing 23rd overall.Panwar's journey to the Olympics was marked by determination and perseverance. Despite taking up rowing only four years ago, he quickly rose through the ranks, earning a Paris 2024 quota by winning a bronze medal at the Asian and Oceanian Rowing Olympic Qualification Regatta in April 2023.At the Games, Panwar displayed his resilience and skill. He finished fourth in the first heat and second in the second repechage rounds, showcasing his ability to adapt and compete at the highest level. However, his medal hopes were dashed in the quarterfinals, where he finished fifth with a time of 7:05.10.Despite not reaching the podium, Panwar's performance is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He narrowly missed out on India's best finish in rowing at the Olympics, which currently belongs to the men's lightweight double sculls duo of Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh, who finished 11th at Tokyo 2020.Panwar's journey is an inspiration to aspiring athletes. His rapid rise in the sport demonstrates that with determination and the right support, anything is possible. As India continues to develop its rowing program, Panwar's performance serves as a beacon of hope for future generations of rowers.

South Sudan's historic Olympic debut in men's basketball was marred by an unfortunate glitch, but the team's resilience and determination shone through as they secured their first Olympic victory.Prior to the game against Puerto Rico, the wrong national anthem was played for South Sudan, a nation that emerged from civil war to gain independence in 2011. The error, which cut off the anthem after 20 seconds, left the Sudanese players and fans bewildered.However, the team's coach, Royal Ivey, an American, rallied his players, emphasizing the importance of national pride and the need to earn respect. The correct anthem was eventually played, and the South Sudanese players embraced, ready to face the challenge."It gave us fuel to the fire," said forward Nuni Omot. "We felt disrespected, but we have to continue to show the world what we're capable of."Despite the initial setback, South Sudan played with heart and determination, overcoming a 10-point deficit to secure a 90-79 victory. Omot praised the support from Puerto Rico's players and fans, who showed solidarity during the anthem mix-up."Respect to them," Omot said. "They want us to succeed, and they listened and waited for us. That's a testament to the type of people they are."Coach Ivey commended his players for their resilience and focus. "These guys wanted to play," he said. "They wanted to hear their anthem. We all make mistakes, but at the end of the day, these guys are brothers."South Sudan's victory marks a significant milestone for the young nation, showcasing their talent and determination on the world stage. The team's journey is a testament to the power of sports to unite and inspire.

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.