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Emilie Bydwell's historic achievement at the Paris 2024 Olympics has not only etched her name in the annals of rugby but also marked a significant milestone for women's sports. As the first female head coach to lead a team to an Olympic medal, Bydwell has shattered barriers and inspired countless aspiring athletes.Bydwell's journey to the pinnacle of coaching began in Canada, where she honed her skills as a player. Her exceptional talent earned her accolades such as three-time All-American and 2007 Collegiate Player of the Year. She made her debut for the USA Eagles in 2008 and captained the team at the 2016 Olympics.After transitioning to coaching in 2019, Bydwell's impact on USA women's rugby has been profound. As interim head coach, she guided the senior women's sevens team to a silver medal at the 2019 Pan American Games. Her coaching prowess extends to developing the women's sevens pathways, where she has mentored the USA Falcons and the U18 Women's team, leading the latter to a silver medal in the 2016 European Championships.Bydwell's vision and dedication have also shaped the USA Women's Sevens Academy, which has produced six graduates who have earned their first caps at the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. Her unwavering commitment to women's high performance has driven transformative changes across the senior sevens, XVs, and age-grade programs.At the Paris Olympics, Bydwell's team showcased an electrifying brand of rugby, culminating in a thrilling bronze medal victory. Her leadership and tactical acumen were instrumental in the team's success, making her an inspiration for both athletes and coaches alike.Bydwell's achievement is not only a testament to her exceptional abilities but also a symbol of the growing recognition and support for women in sports. Her story serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring female coaches and athletes, demonstrating that with determination and passion, anything is possible.

Indian archery has set its sights on ending a 36-year Olympic medal drought at the Tokyo Games, buoyed by its impressive performance in the ranking rounds. With a full six-member contingent competing in all five categories, India has a strong chance of multiple medals.The men's and women's teams, seeded straight to the quarterfinals, need two wins to secure a historic first Olympic medal. They will avoid archery powerhouse South Korea in the early rounds, but could face them in the semifinals.The women's team, led by Ankita Bhakat, Bhajan Kaur, and Deepika Kumari, will face the winners of France and the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. France, ranked fifth in the qualifiers, will be the favorites, but India has a slight edge in average arrow score.Deepika, a former world No. 1, has struggled in the ranking rounds but remains a key player. Her experience and ability to perform under pressure will be crucial.The men's team, featuring Games debutant Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, and Pravin Jadhav, is considered the most likely to win a medal. They upset South Korea in the Shanghai World Cup and are ranked third in the qualification round.Dhiraj, in particular, has been in red-hot form and will also be a contender in the individual rounds. He will look to overcome the disappointment of his Asian Games performance, where he botched up his release twice in the quarterfinals.In the mixed team event, India is seeded fifth and will face Indonesia in the opening round. They could potentially face China and South Korea in the later rounds.Overall, Indian archery has a strong chance of making history at the Tokyo Games. With a talented team and a favorable draw, they are poised to end their long wait for an Olympic medal.

Tarundeep Rai, a seasoned Indian archer, is determined to make his fourth Olympic appearance in Paris a memorable one by securing his first Olympic medal. At 40 years old, Rai has an impressive track record, having won medals at every major global and continental championship, including two World Championship silver medals, nine World Cup medals, and three Asian Games medals.Despite his success, Rai has yet to achieve his Olympic dream. He exited in the first round of the individual event in Athens 2004, and in the second round in both London 2012 and Tokyo 2021. In Tokyo, the men's team, which included Rai, reached the quarterfinals."It's emotional every day," Rai said. "It's the fourth time. It's a now-or-never situation for me, and that's what I tell my teammates too. You have to put in an effort as if it's going to be your last."Rai is also serving as an unofficial mentor to the Indian team, sharing his vast experience and knowledge with his younger teammates. He believes that the team has the potential to win a medal in Paris, and he is determined to help them achieve their goal."We have kept that in control (this time)," Rai said. "Coaches, management, players' mentality, we have kept that in check. Everyone is in their best form."For the first time since London 2012, India will have a full six-member squad in Paris, after both the men's and women's teams qualified on the basis of rankings. This means they will compete in all five events.Rai's journey to the Olympics has not been without its challenges. He failed to make it to the Hangzhou Asian Games last year, which served as a wake-up call for him."Yes, the Asian Games was a realization period and gave me a lot of positive vibes," Rai said. "If that did not happen, maybe I would not have made it to my fourth Olympics and reached here."Despite the setbacks, Rai remains optimistic and is eager to make the most of his final Olympic opportunity. He has set up an academy in Sikkim to pass on his knowledge to the future generation of archers."Coaching or not, you have to give something back to the sport," Rai said. "This is one thing we have lacked. Transfer of technique, transfer of experience. Senior archers leaving should come back. This gap we have to fill up."

Lalit Upadhyay, a striker for the Indian men's hockey team, has overcome adversity to become an Olympic medalist. At 17, his career was derailed by a sting operation that falsely accused him of accepting a bribe. Shaken by the incident, he almost quit hockey."It was a blessing in disguise," Upadhyay said. "It made me mentally stronger. I've forgotten the incident, but it gives me strength when I remember it."Now 30, Upadhyay is a key member of the Indian team that won bronze in Tokyo. He has scored 45 goals in 168 international appearances and is focused on winning a gold medal in Paris."We know expectations are high," he said. "We're confident we can change the color of the medal."India faces a tough challenge in Paris, placed in a pool with New Zealand, Belgium, Australia, Argentina, and Ireland. But Upadhyay is optimistic."Hockey is always changing," he said. "We've been training hard and practicing against top teams like Australia, Germany, and Belgium."Upadhyay credits the team's success to mutual respect, bonding, and unity. "We stayed together for a long time during COVID," he said. "It strengthened our bond and helped us break the jinx in Tokyo."Upadhyay is inspired by hockey legend Mohammed Shahid, who hailed from his hometown of Varanasi. "I'm satisfied with what God has given me," he said. "I hope the legacy of hockey remains intact and the flag of Indian hockey keeps flying high."