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Manu Bhaker, India's shooting sensation, has made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a shooting medal at the Olympics. Her bronze medals in the women's 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team events at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024 have opened India's medal count and brought immense pride to the nation.The 22-year-old from Haryana's Jhajjar district has been on a remarkable journey, dedicating eight and a half years to her sport. Her unwavering commitment and hard work have paid off, culminating in this historic achievement. Bhaker's success is not only a personal triumph but also a testament to the dedication and support of her team, including her coach, family, and countless others who have believed in her.Despite the sacrifices she has made, including being away from her family for extended periods, Bhaker remains grounded and grateful for the love and support she has received. Her social media following has skyrocketed to over 1 million on Instagram, and she has been lauded by legends like PV Sindhu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Bhaker's victory is a reminder of the power of perseverance and the importance of believing in oneself. She has faced challenges and setbacks along the way, but her determination has never wavered. Her success is an inspiration to aspiring athletes and a source of pride for all Indians.As she sets her sights on the LA Olympics 2028, Bhaker remains focused on her goals. Her rigorous training routine and unwavering commitment will undoubtedly lead her to even greater heights. Her journey is a testament to the indomitable spirit of Indian athletes and the transformative power of sport.

The Olympic triathlon mixed relay is set to proceed as scheduled on Monday, despite concerns over water quality and a Belgian triathlete's illness. Organizers announced on Sunday that recent water quality tests indicate an improvement in the Seine River at the triathlon site, meeting the acceptable limits set by World Triathlon.The decision to proceed was made after consultation with triathlon teams, who requested an earlier announcement to allow for adequate preparation time. The men's triathlon was previously postponed from Tuesday to Wednesday due to pollution issues, with athletes notified only hours before the scheduled race.Belgian triathlete Claire Michel became ill after competing in the women's race on Wednesday. As a result, Belgium will not participate in the mixed relay. The Belgian National Olympic Committee (COIB) expressed hope that lessons would be learned for future Olympic triathlon competitions.The mixed relay event will feature teams of two men and two women competing in a relay format. The race will cover a total distance of 1.5 kilometers of swimming, 40 kilometers of cycling, and 10 kilometers of running.Organizers have implemented additional measures to ensure the safety of athletes, including increased water testing and the provision of bottled water for hydration. They have also emphasized the importance of athletes following hygiene protocols to minimize the risk of illness.The Olympic triathlon mixed relay is a highly anticipated event, and organizers are confident that it will be a success despite the challenges faced. The race will showcase the athleticism and determination of the world's top triathletes and provide a thrilling spectacle for fans around the globe.

Deepika Kumari, India's star archer, has vowed to continue her pursuit of an elusive Olympic medal despite enduring a disappointing performance at the Paris Games. Having competed in four consecutive Olympics without reaching the podium, Kumari remains determined to break the jinx in Los Angeles in 2028.Kumari's Olympic struggles have been attributed to her inability to handle pressure situations. However, she is confident that she can overcome this mental hurdle and perform to her full potential. "I want to play more in the future and will continue my game," she said. "I really want to win an Olympic medal, and I won't quit until I achieve that."To improve her chances of success, Kumari plans to focus on three key areas: maintaining composure, improving her shooting form and concentration, and enjoying the game. She also acknowledges the need to develop her "quick shooting" skills, which proved to be a weakness in Paris.Despite her Olympic setbacks, Kumari has enjoyed a successful career, winning numerous World Cup medals. She made a remarkable comeback after giving birth to her daughter in 2022, winning an individual gold at the Shanghai World Cup in April.At the Paris Olympics, Kumari faced a challenging ranking round, qualifying as the 23rd seed. She struggled in the team event but showed resilience in the individual category, reaching the quarterfinals. However, she was defeated by Korean archer Nam Suhyeon in a closely contested match.Kumari believes that the absence of India's sports psychologist, Gayatri Vartak, did not significantly impact their performance. She emphasized that they stayed in touch with Vartak throughout the Games.With her sights set on LA 2028, Kumari is determined to make amends for her past Olympic disappointments. She is confident that she can develop the mental strength and technical skills necessary to achieve her dream of an Olympic medal.

India's boxing campaign at the ongoing Olympics concluded without a medal after Lovlina Borgohain, the reigning world champion in the 75kg category, lost a hard-fought quarterfinal bout to China's Li Qian on Sunday.Borgohain, who won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, went down 1-4 in a messy contest marred by repeated cautions for clinching and holding. The 26-year-old's defeat marked the end of India's boxing campaign in the Games, following Nishant Dev's exit from the men's 71kg quarterfinals on Saturday night.The six-strong boxing contingent, comprising four women and two men, had a disappointing outing in Tokyo. Four of the six boxers crashed out in the preliminary stage itself.The quarterfinal bout between Borgohain and Qian started at a fast pace, but neither boxer was willing to take the initiative. The holding and clinching began early, forcing the referee to intervene repeatedly.Qian, the 34-year-old Tokyo Games silver medalist, seemed more determined and landed some clean combination punches and a left hook towards the end of the first round. She took a 3-2 lead in the contest.The second round followed a similar pattern, with Qian being more purposeful in her approach. Borgohain was cautioned twice for excessive holding, and Qian maintained her slender one-point lead.The holding and clinching continued in the third round, and both boxers appeared drained. However, Qian showed great presence of mind to keep Borgohain at a distance. Borgohain struggled to control the pace of the bout and repeatedly took hits on counter-attacks.Borgohain had previously faced Qian in the Asian Games final last year, losing 0-5. She later beat Qian in the semifinals of the world championship semifinal in 2023. However, Qian had the upper hand in a pre-Olympic tournament in Czechia in June.

Simone Biles, the legendary American gymnast, soared to victory in the women's vault final at the Paris Games on Saturday, earning her seventh Olympic gold medal. The 27-year-old Biles, known for her gravity-defying skills, averaged 15.300 for her signature Yurchenko double pike and Cheng vaults, securing her second gold on the event since her triumph in Rio de Janeiro eight years ago.Biles' victory marks a historic milestone, making her only the second woman to win the vault twice, joining Vera Casalavska of Czechoslovakia as a two-time gold medalist on the apparatus. Casalavska achieved this feat in 1964 and 1968. With this latest triumph, Biles now boasts an impressive 10 Olympic medals, tying her for the third most by a female gymnast. Her medal count at major international competitions has also reached 40, the highest among all gymnasts.The crowd at the packed Bercy Arena erupted in thunderous applause as Biles was introduced. Clad in a sequined red leotard, she delivered a breathtaking performance that could potentially be her last vault competition. Her Yurchenko double pike was executed with precision, showcasing her explosive power and remarkable control. Despite a slight bounce upon landing, her score of 15.700 put her in a commanding position.Biles' second vault, the Cheng, was equally impressive. She nearly stuck the landing, earning a score of 14.900. This meant that the remaining competitors were effectively vying for second place. Rebeca Andrade of Brazil, the vault champion in Tokyo, claimed the silver medal with an average score of 14.966. American Jade Carey, who had slipped during the vault final in Tokyo, secured the bronze with a score of 14.933.In the men's floor exercise finals, Carlos Yulo of the Philippines made history by winning his country's second Olympic gold medal. The 24-year-old Yulo edged out defending champion Artem Dolgopyat of Israel, scoring 15.000 to Dolgopyat's 14.966. Jake Jarman of Britain took the bronze with a score of 14.933. Yulo's victory marks a significant achievement for the Philippines, joining weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz as the only two Olympic gold medalists from the nation.

Israel Madaye, an archer from Chad, has become an unlikely hero in South Korea after his heartwarming performance at the Paris Olympics. Despite scoring just one point with one of his arrows in the men's individual against top South Korean archer Kim Woo-jin, Madaye's unwavering spirit has captured the hearts of Koreans.Madaye's journey to the Olympics was far from easy. With limited resources in Chad, he taught himself archery, giving up his career as an electrician and training at a cemetery. His determination and resilience resonated with South Koreans, who flooded his Instagram page with support after local media reported his story.Among Madaye's supporters was K-pop star Kwon Yuri, who praised his "true Olympic spirit." Others expressed their admiration for his unwavering spirit, saying, "What shines brighter than 10 points is that unwavering spirit of yours."Madaye's performance may not have been perfect, but it showcased the true essence of the Olympic spirit. Despite facing a formidable opponent and scoring just one point, he remained composed and finished the contest with dignity.South Korea, a powerhouse in archery, has dominated the sport for decades. However, Madaye's performance has shown that the Olympic spirit transcends national boundaries and unites athletes from all backgrounds.Madaye's story is a reminder that the Olympics are not just about winning medals but also about perseverance, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence. His performance has inspired South Koreans and people around the world, proving that even in defeat, the true spirit of the Olympics can shine through.

Deepika Kumari's Olympic Dream Ends in Quarterfinals HeartbreakIndian archery veteran Deepika Kumari's hopes of an Olympic medal were dashed on Saturday as she suffered a disappointing 4-6 defeat to Korea's Suhyeon Nam in the women's individual event quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics.Kumari, who had qualified for the quarterfinals with a 6-4 victory over Germany's Michelle Kroppen earlier in the day, was unable to replicate her success against Nam, who had defeated her in straight sets in the semifinals of the Shanghai World Cup in April.The match was a closely contested affair, with both archers tied 4-4 after four sets. However, Nam's consistency proved to be the difference, as she claimed the fifth set to advance to the semifinals.Kumari, who has faced criticism for her below-par performance in the team event, struggled to find her rhythm throughout the match. Scores of six and seven in the second and fourth sets proved costly, as she was unable to maintain the pressure on Nam.The 30-year-old Indian began the match strongly, winning the first set 28-26. However, Nam responded with a 28-25 victory in the second set, leveling the scores. Kumari regained the lead in the third set with a 29-28 win, but Nam once again fought back to take the fourth set 27-29.In the decider, Kumari's hopes of a comeback were dashed as she scored 9, 9, and 9, while Nam produced scores of 10, 9, and 10 to seal the victory.Kumari's defeat marks the end of India's archery campaign at the Paris Olympics. The team had earlier been eliminated in the quarterfinals of the mixed team event, while Atanu Das and Pravin Jadhav failed to progress beyond the first round of the men's individual event.

Testosterone in Sports: A Controversial IssueTestosterone, a sex hormone produced by both men and women, has become a contentious topic in the world of sports. While men naturally produce significantly higher levels of testosterone, women can also have elevated levels due to conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome.In sports, testosterone can enhance bone and muscle mass, making it a potential performance-enhancing substance. However, the extent to which it boosts performance remains a subject of debate. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) acknowledges that there is no scientific consensus on the matter.The issue gained prominence at the 2021 Tokyo Games with the participation of Laurel Hubbard, the first openly transgender woman to compete in an Olympic event. To qualify, she had to maintain testosterone levels below 10 nmol per liter for at least 12 months. Despite meeting the requirements, her participation drew criticism.In 2022, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif was disqualified from the boxing world championships due to elevated testosterone levels. However, the International Boxing Association (IBA) has since stated that she did not undergo a testosterone examination but was subject to a separate test with confidential specifics.The IOC has taken responsibility for organizing boxing at the Paris Games due to governance issues at the IBA. IOC spokesman Mark Adams emphasized that all participants in the women's event comply with eligibility rules and that testosterone levels alone cannot determine eligibility.The controversy surrounding testosterone in sports highlights the complex interplay between biology, gender, and athletic performance. While it is essential to ensure fair competition, it is equally important to avoid discriminatory practices based on natural variations in hormone levels.

The International Boxing Association (IBA) has sparked controversy by awarding $50,000 to Italian boxer Angela Carini after she withdrew from her Olympic bout against Algerian Imane Khelif. The incident has reignited the debate over gender eligibility in sports.Carini's withdrawal came after just 46 seconds of the welterweight round-of-16 match, as she was overwhelmed by Khelif's aggressive punches. The IBA, which was stripped of its international recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) last year, also announced that Carini's federation and coach would each receive $25,000.The controversy stems from the IBA's eligibility rules, which prohibit athletes with male XY chromosomes from competing in women's events. Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting were cleared to compete in Paris despite failing the IBA's eligibility rules at the 2023 World Championships.IBA President Umar Kremlev defended the decision to award Carini prize money, stating that he was "not indifferent to such situations" and that the IBA would "protect each boxer." He also questioned why "they kill women's boxing" and emphasized that only eligible athletes should compete for safety reasons.Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni weighed in on the controversy, noting that Carini faced a boxer with physical advantages, making it "not a fight between equals." The incident has led to increased scrutiny of the IBA's eligibility rules, which are based on those from the Tokyo Games in 2021 and cannot be altered during the ongoing competition.However, not everyone agrees with the criticism. WBC women's world featherweight champion Skye Nicolson defended Khelif and Lin, arguing that they had been competing as women throughout their careers. She suggested that Carini's withdrawal could have been a "publicity stunt."The controversy over gender eligibility in sports is likely to continue, as the IBA's rules are based on scientific evidence that suggests that athletes with male XY chromosomes have a physical advantage over those with female XX chromosomes. The IOC has stated that it will review the IBA's eligibility rules after the Paris Olympics.