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Jyothi Yarraji, India's first female Olympic qualifier in the 100m hurdles, has embarked on an extraordinary journey under the guidance of British coach James Hillier. Hillier, impressed by Jyothi's raw speed, recognized her potential and has since honed her technique, explosive power, and agility.Jyothi's unwavering determination has led to a remarkable 11 national record-breaking performances. Her speed and precision have enabled her to overcome the challenges of 10 hurdles over 100m. Despite a hip flexor injury that sidelined her for a month, Jyothi's resilience and Hillier's positive outlook have fueled her recovery.Hillier believes that Jyothi's near-miss in Finland, where she clocked 12.78secs, just 0.01secs shy of the Olympic qualification mark, has instilled confidence in her abilities. "She knows now that she can do it again at that pace," Hillier said.Jyothi's first Olympic appearance will be a testament to her hard work and dedication. Hillier's realistic goal is for her to achieve a personal best, while an ambitious target is to qualify for the final. Jyothi's performance at the World Championships and Asian Games has demonstrated her potential, and with continued training and recovery, she is poised to make a mark on the Olympic stage.

Indian athletes Avinash Sable and Kishore Jena are set to participate in the Paris leg of the Diamond League on Sunday, aiming to refine their preparations for the upcoming Paris Olympics.Sable, a renowned 3000m steeplechaser, has had a modest season thus far, competing in only two events. However, he is determined to rectify past errors and deliver a strong performance at the Olympics. He will face stiff competition from Kenyan Abraham Kibiwot, the reigning World Championships bronze medalist.Jena, a javelin thrower, has also endured a challenging season, but he is eager to improve upon his recent performances. He will compete against a formidable field that includes Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Jakub Vadlejch and reigning Commonwealth Games medalist Arshad Nadeem.Despite their recent struggles, both Sable and Jena are confident in their abilities and are eager to acclimatize to the conditions in Paris, the host city of the Olympics. Athletics competitions at the Games commence on August 1st.Sable, who has a personal best of 8:11.20 in the 3000m steeplechase, is determined to make amends for his past disappointments. He believes that a different approach will lead to a memorable performance at the Olympics.Jena, with a personal best of 87.54m in the javelin throw, is also optimistic about his chances. He has been managing a minor ankle injury but is confident that it will not hinder his performance.The Paris Diamond League will provide Sable and Jena with a valuable opportunity to test their skills against world-class competition and gain valuable experience ahead of the Olympics.

India's Olympic journey has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by both triumphs and setbacks. Since gaining independence in 1947, India has participated in every edition of the Summer Olympics, showcasing its prowess in various sports.Early Dominance in Hockey:India's golden era in hockey began in 1928, when the team won its first Olympic gold medal. They went on to dominate the sport, winning six consecutive golds from 1928 to 1960. The team's success was largely attributed to legendary players like Dhyan Chand and Kishan Lal.Challenges and Setbacks:However, India's dominance in hockey faced challenges in the 1960s. In 1960, Pakistan defeated India for the first time in Olympic history, ending their golden run. The 1976 Montreal Olympics marked a turning point, as India failed to win a medal in hockey for the first time since 1928.Individual Successes:Despite the setbacks in hockey, India has produced several individual medalists in other sports. Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav won the first individual medal for independent India in wrestling at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. Milkha Singh narrowly missed out on a bronze in the 400m at the 1960 Rome Olympics.Women's Hockey and Other Sports:Women's hockey made its Olympic debut in 1980, and India's women's team has since made significant progress. They finished fourth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, their best performance to date. India has also seen success in other sports, including weightlifting (Karnam Malleswari), shooting (Abhinav Bindra), and wrestling (Sushil Kumar).Recent Successes:The 2020 Tokyo Olympics was a historic one for India, as the country won a record seven medals. Neeraj Chopra became India's first Olympic gold medalist in athletics since 1900, while the men's hockey team won bronze, their first medal in the sport since 1980. PV Sindhu became a double Olympic medalist in badminton, and Lovlina Borgohain won bronze in boxing.Conclusion:India's Olympic journey has been a testament to the country's sporting prowess and resilience. From the golden era of hockey to the recent successes in various sports, India has consistently showcased its ability to compete at the highest level. As the country prepares for the 2024 Paris Olympics, it will be hoping to continue its Olympic legacy and bring home more medals.

World Athletics and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee (LA28) have announced a groundbreaking shift in the competition schedule. In a historic move, athletics will now take center stage during the first week of the Olympic Games at the iconic LA Memorial Coliseum. This unprecedented change marks the first time a stadium will host events at three Olympic Games.The decision to prioritize athletics in the opening week is a testament to the sport's global appeal and its ability to captivate audiences. By showcasing the world's greatest track and field athletes at the outset of the Games, LA28 aims to create an electrifying atmosphere and set the tone for an unforgettable Olympic experience."We are thrilled to support this visionary timetable change for LA28," said Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics. "This move underscores our commitment to innovation in athletics and elevating the global profile of our athletes. By prioritizing athletics in the first week, the Games will witness the most thrilling of starts, captivating audiences worldwide and setting the stage for an unforgettable Olympic journey for global audiences."The schedule adjustment, which sees swimming events move to the second week, is expected to unlock unparalleled opportunities for athletics in pre-Games promotion and Games-time viewership. The first-week scheduling positions athletics at the forefront of the Games, ensuring a strong start and sustained excitement throughout the event.The historic marathon events will remain over the last weekend, with medals presented during the closing ceremony – a tradition that befits an event that has been part of the programme since the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.The swap allows athletics, for the first time in memory, to benefit from the high level of interest and excitement provided by the opening ceremony. And not just any opening ceremony, but one crafted in the storytelling and creative capital of the world in Los Angeles."Over the past months, LA28 has worked closely with World Athletics, World Aquatics, the IOC, and OBS to assess the opportunities around this competition schedule swap," said Janet Evans, Chief Athlete Officer of LA28. "We believe the positive effects of this change will extend beyond the two sports involved, strengthening the LA28 Games as a whole and ultimately benefiting all sports in the LA28 sport programme."The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will be held from 14-30 July 2028, featuring over 10,000 athletes from more than 200 nations competing in 35 sports currently in the LA28 sport programme. This marks the third time Los Angeles will host the Olympics, following the 1932 and 1984 Games.

India's ambitious bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games is gaining momentum, with sports administrators preparing to lobby hard during the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024. The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) of the Sports Authority of India has submitted a detailed report to Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, outlining the measures necessary for a successful bid.The report identifies six disciplines for potential inclusion in the 2036 Olympics if India's bid is successful: yoga, kho kho, kabaddi, chess, T20 cricket, and squash. These indigenous sports would not only enhance India's medal chances but also showcase the country's rich sporting heritage.However, the road ahead is not without challenges. India will need to extend support to other nations to ensure that these sports have a global presence. The proposed events will first need to be introduced as demonstration events in the 2032 Brisbane Games before receiving final approval.The MOC has also identified the need to address doping, increase accountability in national federations, and attract private investment in sports. India will face stiff competition from countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and China for the hosting rights.Despite the challenges, the MOC is confident in India's ability to prepare for the bid. The inclusion of indigenous sports would not only boost India's medal tally but also promote the country's cultural identity on a global stage.

Hockey India has announced a 27-member core group of players for a pre-Olympic national camp, which will be held from June 21 to July 8 at the SAI center in Bengaluru. The camp is part of India's preparations for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, where they will face a tough challenge in Pool B, alongside Belgium, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, and Ireland.The core group includes experienced players who have been instrumental in India's recent success in the FIH Hockey Pro League, where they currently occupy the fourth spot. Goalkeepers Krishan Bahadur Pathak, PR Sreejesh, and Suraj Karkera will be joined by defenders Harmanpreet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, and Amir Ali.The midfield will be led by captain Manpreet Singh, along with Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Sumit, Shamsher Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Rajkumar Pal, Vishnukant Singh, and Akashdeep Singh. Mohammed Raheel Mouseen will also be part of the midfield contingent.The forward line will feature Mandeep Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Abhishek, Dilpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Gurjant Singh, Boby Singh Dhami, and Araijeet Singh Hundal. Notably, striker Dilpreet Singh is a notable absentee from the core list.Indian men's hockey team chief coach Craig Fulton believes the Pro League outing against top teams of the world was a great experience for his side. "We are looking to start an important block of training in this camp, and we need to make sure that we are in the best form ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics. The players have learned a lot from their matches in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023/24," he said."It has helped us in realizing where we need to improve. We have a lot of time to work on those areas. We have a strong mix of players who are capable of winning anything," the South African added.The Indian men's hockey team will be hoping to build on their bronze medal performance at the Tokyo Olympics and challenge for a podium finish in Paris. The pre-Olympic camp will provide them with a valuable opportunity to fine-tune their skills and tactics ahead of the Games.

Harpal Singh Bedi, a veteran sports journalist who chronicled the highs and lows of Indian sports for over four decades, passed away on Saturday after a prolonged illness. He was 72.Bedi's illustrious career spanned eight Olympic Games, countless Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Cricket and Hockey World Cups, and national and international championships in various sports. He served as the national Olympic contingent's press attaché in 2012, where his wit and warmth charmed the media box.As the former sports editor of United News of India (UNI) and consulting editor of the Statesman newspaper, Bedi was a towering figure in Indian sports journalism. His expertise extended beyond reporting, as he mentored young journalists, easing their nerves with his trademark humor."Harpal Singh Bedi was a quintessential newsman, loved and respected," said veteran journalist and sports administrator G Rajaraman. "His finger was on the pulse of Indian sport and sports administration."Bedi's close friendship with legendary cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi often led to mistaken identities. "We are close friends you know, I am BSB, he is HSB. We go back a long way," the late spin great once quipped.An alumnus of Jawahar Lal Nehru University, Bedi witnessed the transformation of India's sporting landscape, from P.T. Usha's fourth-place finish in the 1984 Olympics to Abhinav Bindra's historic gold medal in 2008.Bedi's reputation extended beyond India's borders. He became a popular figure with Pakistani journalists during tours with the Indian cricket team in 2004 and 2005. "His understanding of the Indo-Pak relationship was at par with the best foreign affairs experts," Rajaram recalled.Pakistani sports journalist Rasheed Shakoor fondly remembered Bedi's jovial personality. "He was a treasure trove of both news and jokes," Shakoor said. "It was so easy to become his friend."Despite his cheerful demeanor, Bedi's frustration was evident when the Indian hockey team underperformed. "The only journalist I knew who could laugh at himself," said Vijay Lokapally, former senior editor of 'The Hindu'. "The press box will not be the same without him."Bedi's health had declined in recent years, but his legacy as a respected and beloved sports journalist will endure.

The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has extended its support to several Indian athletes preparing for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The MOC has approved proposals from renowned sportspersons, including wrestler Vinesh Phogat, pistol shooter Arjun Cheema, paddler Manika Batra, and boxer Lovlina Borgohain.Vinesh Phogat, a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist, has received financial assistance for a competition and training camp in Madrid, Spain, followed by a training camp in Boulogne sur-Mer, France. She will compete in the Grand Prix in Spain in July before spending a week in training there. She will then head to Boulogne sur-Mer, France, for a 20-day training camp ahead of the Olympic Games.Pistol shooter Arjun Cheema has also secured approval for an 11-day training camp in Austria. The MOC has also approved overseas training camps for Indian javelin throwers Ajeet Singh and Sandeep Choudhary, who will train in Germany for 45 and 41 days, respectively.Para-Club and Discus Thrower Pranav Soorma's request for assistance under the Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS) to compete in the Para Athletics Championship in Krusevac, Serbia, and train for 10 days at the same location has also been approved.Triple jumper Eldhose Paul, boxer Lovlina Borgohain, and table tennis players Sreeja Akula and Manika Batra have also received assistance to compete in various international tournaments. Manika Batra's proposal for assistance towards the purchase of a DHS Table to train in India and Para-Athlete Bhagyashree Jadhav's proposal for assistance towards procurement of wheelchair and shot-put equipment were also sanctioned.Wrestler Antim Panghal's request for assistance towards the boarding and lodging of her coach during the UWW 2nd Ranking Series and the training camp at Olympic Training Centre, Tata, Hungary, and badminton players Rakshitha Sree and Anmol Kharab's request for assistance to compete in the Kaohsiung Masters (BWF super 100) event were also approved.In addition, the MOC has promoted five TOPS Athletes to the Core Group from the Development Group. These are boxers Nishant Dev, Jaismine Lamboria, and Preeti Pawar as well as table Tennis players Manav Thakkar and Archana Kamath.

Nishant Dev, India's Olympic-bound boxer in the 71kg weight category, exudes an unwavering confidence that stems from his belief in his exceptional abilities. He attributes his success to a harmonious blend of speed, timing, and power, which he considers a divine gift.Dev's journey to the Paris Olympics has been marked by both triumph and adversity. In 2021, he made a remarkable debut at the World Championships, reaching the light middleweight quarterfinals. Two years later, he secured a bronze medal at the same event, solidifying his status as one of India's most promising boxers.When asked to elaborate on his strengths, Dev confidently stated, "I am god-gifted. I have everything in me. Power, speed, and timing. But the main thing is skills. If you have that, you can win against any kind of boxer."Dev's path to the Olympics was not without its challenges. He had struggled with a persistent shoulder niggle for years. However, he overcame this obstacle through rigorous training and unwavering determination.At the final qualifying event in Bangkok, Dev showcased his dominance, securing his place in the Paris Games. He had previously narrowly missed out at the previous qualifiers after a heartbreaking loss to Omari Jones of the USA.Reflecting on that defeat, Dev admitted that it fueled his anger and determination. "I have done a lot of work for the competition. I have changed my strategy a bit. This time, I put in the effort from the very first second of the very first round and continued till the last second of the bout. I took out my anger from America (the bout against Jones). I had a lot of confidence that I will win this time."While Dev acknowledges his natural talent, he emphasizes the importance of hard work and dedication. "Talent alone is not enough. You have to work hard as well. I used my skills, I hit more body shots to completely exhaust my opponent, drain him of his energy. I have a lot of power inside me, but you cannot win a boxing match on the basis of just power. You will have to add small things in it, like speed, timing, power, boxing mind as well. So I mixed up all these things."Dev's success is a testament to his unwavering belief in himself and his relentless pursuit of excellence. As he prepares for the Paris Olympics, he carries the hopes of a nation on his shoulders, determined to make India proud on the world stage.