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Indian hockey goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh urged his team to seize their second chance at an Olympic medal in Paris 2024, despite their heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Germany in the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics.Sreejesh, who will retire from international hockey after the bronze medal match against Spain on Thursday, emphasized the importance of securing a medal for the country. "It's a medal match, and it's not about me; it's about the country, the 19 players, and the staff," he said. "We have one last opportunity to play, to get a medal for our country, and we should focus on that rather than dwelling on what happened today."The veteran custodian acknowledged that India missed several chances, including penalty corners. "We had our opportunities but couldn't convert many of them. You can see it in the scoreline. It's a matter of homework," he said. "They did a wonderful job against Harman, how to tackle him. He's one of the best drag-flickers in the world, and that's what they did against us."Despite the setback, Sreejesh praised his team's fighting spirit. "My players have done a wonderful job. They fought back, they really stood tall. Unfortunately, we couldn't finish it the way we wanted. It's not an easy deal," he said.Sreejesh expressed confidence in the team's ability to bounce back against Spain in the bronze medal match. "We are tough. I believe we will bounce back in a better way. This consultation will have to be about how to fight that bronze medal match more than discussing this loss," he said. "We need to look at this match also because from there we will realize what went wrong and what we can do better. Because a lot of the opposition look into these kinds of matches, they learn how they can hurt us in certain ways. So we need to find that out and we need to block that.""Spain is not an easy team. They are real fighters. The way they played in the quarterfinals showed that we can't be in a relaxing chair," Sreejesh added.

India's shooting contingent has made history at the Paris Olympics, ending a two-decade medal drought with three bronze medals. The performance marks a significant turnaround for the sport in the country, which had failed to win any medals at the previous two Olympics.The team's success can be attributed to a comprehensive overhaul of its preparation strategy after the Tokyo Olympics. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) implemented a system that prioritized athlete-centric training, coach-driven guidance, and administrative support.Sports science, mental training, strength and conditioning, and nutrition were meticulously incorporated into the program. Beijing Olympics champion Abhinav Bindra was brought in as a mentor to provide motivation and guidance.The introduction of Olympic selection trials and the removal of bonus points ensured a level playing field for all athletes. This resulted in a highly competitive team that included some of the world's top shooters.At the Olympics, India's shooters displayed remarkable consistency, with multiple athletes qualifying for finals. Manu Bhaker emerged as a star, winning two bronze medals in the air pistol individual and mixed events. Swapnil Kusale also secured a bronze in the 50m rifle three positions.The team's success has not only brought glory to India but has also inspired a new generation of shooters. The NRAI's focus on personal coaches and a positive team environment has fostered a culture of excellence that is likely to drive the growth of the sport in the years to come.

Newly-crowned Olympic 10,000m champion Joshua Cheptegei has announced that he will not defend his 5,000m title in Paris. The Ugandan distance runner made the announcement on Instagram Tuesday, expressing his pride in his recent 10,000m victory and his decision to focus on other goals."I'm so proud of having won Olympic gold in the 10,000m," said Cheptegei, who won silver in the event in the Tokyo Games. "So proud for Uganda. After the world junior 10,000m title, three times the world 10,000m titles, the world 10,000m record, this gold medal in an Olympic record time completes my collection."Cheptegei, who holds the world record in the 10,000m, explained that after consulting with his team, they decided it was best not to compete in the 5,000m in Paris. Heats for the 5,000m are scheduled for Wednesday, with the final slated for Saturday.Cheptegei's decision to skip the 5,000m in Paris is a strategic one. The Ugandan runner is currently focused on preparing for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where he will be aiming to defend his 10,000m title. He is also eyeing the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where he will be looking to repeat his 10,000m gold medal performance.Cheptegei's withdrawal from the 5,000m in Paris is a blow to the event, but it is also a testament to his commitment to his long-term goals. The Ugandan runner is one of the most talented distance runners in the world, and he is sure to continue to achieve great things in the years to come.

Indian golfers Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar are set to embark on their Olympic journeys in Paris, carrying the hopes of their nation. Aditi, a two-time Olympian, narrowly missed out on a medal in Tokyo, finishing fourth. Determined to make amends, she will be eager to secure a podium finish this time.Diksha, on the other hand, has overcome a traumatic car accident that left her mother hospitalized. Despite the setback, the 23-year-old has remained resilient and is focused on achieving Olympic success.The women's golf competition in Paris will feature a quarter of the field who have competed in all three Games since the sport's return in 2016. Aditi and Diksha are among the experienced players, with Aditi making her third appearance and Diksha her second.Aditi will tee off alongside Gaby Lopez (Mexico) and Esther Henseleit (Germany), while Diksha will play with Wei-Ling Hsu (Chinese Taipei) and Emma Spitz (Austria). The competition runs from Wednesday to Saturday.Aditi has enjoyed success on the Ladies European Tour, winning five times, but is yet to claim a victory on the LPGA. Her breakthrough moment came in 2021 when she came within a whisker of an Olympic medal. Despite missing out, she received widespread recognition and appreciation.Diksha is a unique athlete who has competed in both the Deaflympics and the Olympics. A double medallist in the Deaflympics, she qualified for Tokyo at the last minute. This time, her consistent performances earned her a place months in advance.In Paris, Diksha faced an unexpected scare when the car she was traveling in with her family was involved in an accident. While she and her father were uninjured, her brother sustained minor injuries and her mother suffered a back injury. However, her mother is now recovering.Aditi is coming off a tie for 22nd at the LPGA Tour's Portland Classic. She has played four weeks in a row and is looking to maintain her momentum in Paris.The women's golf field in Paris is highly competitive, with 12 of the top 15 players participating. Six players who have reached World No. 1 are among the contenders, including Jin Young Ko, Lydia Ko, Nelly Korda, Atthaya Thitikul, Lilia Vu, and Ruoning Yin.Minjee Lee of Australia will be making her third Olympic appearance, following her brother Min Woo's debut in the men's competition. The Lees are the only brother-sister combination in the Olympic golf fields.Celine Boutier is one of two French players competing in the women's golf competition, along with Perrine Delacour. Boutier had a stellar season in 2023, winning four times, including the Amundi Evian Championship in her home country.

The Netherlands, the world's top-ranked men's hockey team, secured their place in the Paris Olympics final on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, with a dominant 4-0 victory over Spain. The Dutch, who had faced a tough challenge from Spain in the group stage, showcased their clinical precision and tactical prowess in this crucial match.The match began with a flurry of attacks from both sides, but it was the Netherlands who broke the deadlock in the 12th minute. Jip Janssen converted a penalty stroke after Spanish goalkeeper Luis Calzado fouled forward Tjep Hoedemakers. The goal ignited the Dutch crowd, who had turned out in force to support their team.The Netherlands continued to press forward, and their efforts were rewarded in the 20th minute when Thierry Brinkman netted the second goal. Brinkman collected a rebound off Spanish defender Ignacio Rodriguez's stick and blasted the ball into the back of the net.The third quarter saw the Dutch extend their lead further. Thijs van Dam found himself with plenty of space in the circle after two Spanish defenders collided, and he made no mistake in sinking his shot. The crowd erupted in cheers once again in the 50th minute when Duco Telgenkamp scored the team's fourth goal.Spain, despite their valiant efforts, were unable to find a way past the Dutch defense. The Netherlands goalkeeper, Maurits Visser, made several crucial saves to keep a clean sheet.The victory marks a significant milestone for the Netherlands, who are seeking their first Olympic gold medal in men's hockey since 1996. They will face the winner of the other semifinal between Australia and Germany in the final on August 8.Spain, on the other hand, will have a chance to compete for a medal in the bronze medal match. They will face the loser of the Australia-Germany semifinal.

Mirabai Chanu, India's weightlifting icon, faces a daunting task as she aims to become the nation's first double Olympic medalist in the sport. However, her path to glory is fraught with challenges, including a lingering hip injury and a formidable field of competitors.Chanu's Olympic journey has been marred by injuries and workload management issues. Since her silver medal performance in Tokyo, she has endured a disappointing cycle, with her best effort being a 201kg lift at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.In her preferred 49kg weight category, Chanu faces an uphill battle for a podium finish. Reigning Olympic champion Hou Zhihui of China is the overwhelming favorite to retain her title. Other contenders include Jourdan Delacruz of the USA, Surodchana Khambao of Thailand, and Mihaela Cambei of Romania.Despite concerns about her fitness, Chanu and her coach, Vijay Sharma, insist that she has fully recovered from her hip injury. However, her recent performances have fallen short of her personal bests, raising doubts about her ability to surpass the 200kg mark.Chanu's main obstacle lies within herself. Her snatch performance has been inconsistent, and her clean and jerk has also been underwhelming. While she has shown resilience and determination in the past, she must overcome these technical hurdles to challenge for a medal.The 49kg event at the Paris Olympics promises to be a fiercely competitive contest. Chanu's entry weight of 200kg places her alongside Delacruz and Khambao, while Zhihui and Cambei have set higher entry weights.Despite the odds stacked against her, Chanu remains a formidable competitor. Her fighting spirit and unwavering determination could propel her to another historic performance. However, she must summon her best form and overcome her physical limitations to achieve her Olympic dream.

Saint Lucia's Julien Alfred is poised to make history on Tuesday as she aims for an Olympic sprint double in the 200m, following her triumph in the 100m. The tiny Caribbean island nation has never had an Olympic medalist before Alfred's groundbreaking victory.Alfred's quest for a double mirrors that of Jamaica's Elaine Thompson-Herah, who achieved the feat at the 2016 and 2021 Olympics. Alfred faces stiff competition from US sprinter Gabrielle Thomas, who boasts the world's fastest time this year.Meanwhile, the men's 1500m promises a thrilling showdown between Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Great Britain's Josh Kerr. Ingebrigtsen has been critical of Kerr's absence from certain events, while Kerr has vowed to prove his worth on the track.In boxing, Algeria's Imane Khelif is at the center of a gender controversy after being disqualified from last year's world championships. However, the IOC has cleared her to compete in Paris, where she is guaranteed at least a bronze medal.The women's football competition is heating up, with World Cup holders Spain and four-time gold medalists the United States on course for a potential final showdown. Spain faces Brazil in the semifinals, while the rejuvenated USA under new coach Emma Hayes takes on Germany.Track cycling powerhouse Great Britain has already secured gold in the women's team sprint and will seek to repeat their success in the men's event. China's divers are also aiming for a fifth gold in the women's 10m platform.In surfing, France's Kauli Vaast and the United States' Caroline Marks have already claimed gold medals in the men's and women's events, respectively. The USA now leads the overall medal table with 21 golds, ahead of China.

Pin Trading: A Thrilling Tradition at the OlympicsThe Olympic Games are not just about athletic prowess and medal counts. Alongside the fierce competition, there's a vibrant and engaging tradition that has become an integral part of the event: pin trading.Pin trading dates back to the inaugural Olympics in Athens in 1896. Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, revived the practice, which initially involved participants wearing cardboard badges for identification. Over the years, pins have evolved into intricate, metallic collectibles, and pin trading has become a beloved tradition among athletes, fans, and collectors alike.At the 2024 Paris Olympics, pin trading is in full swing. The Park of Nations features The Olympic Collectors' House, a dedicated space where traders can gather and exchange their pins. American pin collector Ed Schneider, a veteran of 14 Olympics, explains that there are various types of pins available for trade, including National Olympic Committees (NOCs), media pins, host city pins, sponsor pins, athlete pins, and mascot pins.Pin trading is a serious business, with collectors often spending years amassing their collections. Nicholas Wolaver, another avid American collector, advises beginners to be patient, avoid interrupting trades in progress, and consider trading two pins for one to maintain their collection while acquiring new pins.One notable newcomer to the pin trading scene is Snoop Dogg. The iconic rapper has made his mark at the Paris Olympics by offering his sleek, silver card design to American tennis player Coco Gauff. This gesture symbolizes the growing popularity of pin trading and its appeal to celebrities and fans alike.Pin trading is more than just a hobby; it's a way for people from all over the world to connect, share their passion for the Olympics, and create lasting memories. It's a tradition that adds a unique and vibrant dimension to the Olympic experience.

Justin Best, a 26-year-old investment analyst from Pennsylvania, has etched his name in history by becoming part of the first US team to win a rowing gold medal in the men's four class at the Paris Olympics 2024 since 1960. The team's victory over New Zealand and defending world champion Britain, with a time of 5:49.03, marked a significant milestone for US rowing.Best's LinkedIn profile swiftly reflected his Olympic triumph, with the addition of "Olympic Champion" to his bio alongside his role as Junior Analyst at Union Square Advisors. A graduate of Drexel University in business and engineering, Best has been employed at the San Francisco-based investment firm since November 2021.Best's dedication to both his investment banking career and competitive rowing is evident in his rigorous daily routine. He wakes at 5:30 am for training before commuting to his office via the Bay Area Rapid Transit train. After work, he returns to training at 5:30 pm, concluding his day by 8:30 pm.The Olympic gold medal represents the culmination of a teenage dream for Best. Inspired by the film "The Social Network," his parents enrolled him in a rowing summer camp, recognizing his potential in the sport. His first Olympic appearance was at the Tokyo Games in 2020.Best's success highlights the balance between athletic excellence and professional achievement. He credits his passion for the sectors covered in his investment banking role, finding excitement in the metrics and technology of the companies he analyzes.