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Legendary double trap marksman Peter Wilson, who guided his compatriot Nathan Hales to trap gold at the recent Paris Olympics, has expressed interest in coaching the Indian shooting team for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.Wilson, 37, is a decorated shooter who won a gold medal in double trap at the 2012 London Olympics, becoming the youngest competitor to achieve this feat. He holds the world record in double trap and transitioned to shooting after a snowboarding accident prevented him from playing cricket.After double trap was removed from the Olympic program, Wilson turned to coaching the Great Britain trap team. His most notable success came in Paris, where his protégé Nathan Hales won gold with an Olympic record, ending a 12-year drought for Great Britain in the event.Wilson has expressed his desire to work with the Indian team, both the senior squad for the LA Games and the juniors for the next 8-12 years. He emphasized his unwavering pursuit of success and his belief that continental championships like the Asian Games and World Cups are stepping stones towards Olympic glory.Wilson's coaching credentials are impeccable. He was trained by the legendary Ahmad Al Maktoum, a member of the Dubai royal family and the 2004 Athens Olympics gold medalist in double trap. India's Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore finished second behind Al Maktoum in Athens.India has been without a foreign trap coach for some time, with most shooters at the Paris Olympics relying on personal coaches. Marcello Dradi of Italy was the last trap coach hired by the Sports Authority of India and the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).NRAI secretary-general Sultan Singh confirmed that Wilson's CV has been received and that a decision on the coaching setup for all shooting events will be made soon. He indicated that the selection committee may meet before the NRAI president's election on September 14 if necessary.Other potential candidates for the job include Daniele Di Spigno, Italy's double trap stalwart, and David Kostelecky, the personal coach of Indian trap shooter Rajeshwari Kumari. However, the NRAI is committed to selecting the best coach available to meet the team's requirements.

Neeraj Chopra, India's Olympic silver medalist in javelin throw, is currently training in Switzerland to prepare for his upcoming competitions. Despite battling a long-standing groin injury, Chopra remains confident in his abilities and aims to improve his distance.Chopra's injury has limited his training sessions, but he has managed to maintain his form and consistency. He plans to compete in the Lausanne Diamond League on August 22 and will continue through the season before undergoing surgery for his groin issue.Despite his injury, Chopra believes he could have surpassed Arshad Nadeem's Olympic record throw of 92.97m. However, he acknowledges that his physical limitations prevented him from pushing himself to the limit.Chopra's performance in Paris was affected by the fast track at the Stade de France, which caused him to foul more often than usual. He also struggled with his legwork on the runway, which hindered his ability to generate power in his throws.Despite the challenges, Chopra is satisfied with his silver medal and believes it is a testament to his resilience and determination. He is eager to improve his distance and cross the 90m barrier, but recognizes that he needs to be injury-free to achieve his goals.Chopra's consistency at major competitions has raised the bar for Indian athletics and drummed up interest in javelin throw. His performance in Paris, even while battling an injury, is a reminder of his exceptional talent and the bright future of Indian sports.

Romanian gymnast Ana Bărbosu extended heartfelt sympathy to Jordan Chiles as she received her Olympic bronze medal for the floor exercise on Friday. The medal ceremony in Bucharest, Romania, followed a controversial ruling that stripped Chiles of the medal she had initially been awarded.Bărbosu acknowledged the emotional turmoil faced by Chiles and her Romanian teammate Sabrina Voinea, emphasizing that none of the athletes had acted improperly during the competition. "I can't help but think about Sabrina and Jordan right now," Bărbosu said. "It's a difficult situation for us, with so many uncertainties and overwhelming emotions. I hope everyone understands that we have not done anything wrong at the Olympics."The medal reallocation stemmed from a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling that an inquiry to increase Chiles' score, which had initially secured her the bronze, was submitted too late and should not have been accepted. Consequently, Chiles' score was lowered, dropping her to fifth place and elevating Bărbosu to third. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved the reallocation, leading to the ceremony where Bărbosu received the bronze medal.Chiles had initially received the bronze after her coach, Cecile Landi, successfully challenged her original score during the floor exercise final in Paris. The challenge slightly increased Chiles' difficulty score, placing her ahead of the Romanian gymnasts. However, the Romanian Olympic Committee contested the challenge, and the CAS upheld their appeal.Following the reversal, Chiles expressed her disappointment on social media, describing the decision as unjust and highlighting the emotional toll it had taken on her. "I have no words. This decision feels unjust and comes as a significant blow, not just to me, but to everyone who has championed my journey," Chiles said. "To add to the heartbreak, the unprompted racially driven attacks on social media are wrong and extremely hurtful."Bărbosu's gesture of empathy underscores the spirit of sportsmanship and the importance of recognizing the challenges faced by all athletes. The medal reallocation highlights the complexities of judging in gymnastics and the need for clear and consistent guidelines.

Neeraj Chopra, India's Olympic silver medalist in javelin throw, expressed his confidence in competing against Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem and his belief that he could have broken the gold medalist's Olympic record.Chopra, who entered the final as the favorite with an impressive 89.34m in the qualifying round, threw the javelin to 89.45m, his second-best effort ever, surpassing the 87.58m that earned him gold in Tokyo.However, it was not enough to overcome Nadeem, who set a new Olympic record with a massive 92.97m throw. "Nadeem is a very hardworking player, and competing against him is always positive," Chopra said. "I was confident that we would have a good fight. After he set the Olympic record in his second attempt, it put pressure on everyone, but I was sure I could break it after my second attempt, which was close to 90. But somehow, my body didn't allow it."Chopra began the final with a foul on his first attempt, while Nadeem also fouled his first throw. Trinidad's Keshorn Walcott took the early lead with an 86.16m throw, followed by Anderson Peter at 84.70m. Chopra's only legal throw of the night, 89.45m, came on his second attempt.Despite not winning gold, Chopra made history by becoming the second Indian male and third overall to win back-to-back Olympic medals. He joins wrestler Sushil Kumar, who won bronze and silver in 2008 and 2012, and PV Sindhu, who won silver in 2016 and bronze in 2020."It's never easy to perform in the Olympics, especially when you're defending your medal," Chopra said. "I knew I could break the Olympic record after my second throw, but I wasn't able to. I'm happy to have won a silver medal for the country. I'll work on the things I need to recover well."Chopra, who is training in Switzerland with his coach and physio, announced his participation in the Lausanne Diamond League, which begins on August 22.

Indian wrestling star Vinesh Phogat's return to India after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed her appeal for a joint silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics has sparked a wave of empathy and support on social media.Phogat, 29, was disqualified from the women's 53kg freestyle final for missing the prescribed weight limit by 100 grams. The news came to light the night before her final match, prompting her to undergo extreme weight-cutting measures for five hours.According to her coach, Woller Akos, Phogat "did everything possible" to make the cut, including drawing blood, limiting her food and water intake, and even cutting her hair.Despite her efforts, Phogat was unable to shed the excess weight and was disqualified. The decision has been met with widespread criticism, with many calling it "inhumane."The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has slammed the regulations as "inhumane" and has said it is "exploring further legal options."Phogat's emotional breakdown at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi has sparked a wave of empathy and support on social media. Thousands have taken to Twitter to express solidarity with the wrestler, hailing her as a "legend" and a symbol of resilience."You are and always will be a legend," posted one Twitter user. Another person added, "Welcome back, Vinesh Phogat champ." A third commented, "A smile emerges amidst the tears and struggle. Vinesh Phogat returns home."Phogat was welcomed by medal-winning athletes, including Rio Games medallist Sakshi Malik and Tokyo Olympics medallist Bajrang Punia. Her family, well-wishers, and political leaders were also present at the airport for her welcome party.Phogat's disqualification has raised questions about the weight-cutting practices in wrestling. Many experts have called for changes to the regulations to prevent wrestlers from resorting to extreme measures to make weight.

Vinesh Phogat's Olympic journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in a heartbreaking disqualification and subsequent appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Despite the setbacks, Phogat's resilience and determination have shone through, earning her the admiration and support of the nation.Upon her arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, Phogat was greeted by a throng of cheering fans and a thick security cover. Overcome with emotion, she broke down in tears, consoled by teammates Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik.Phogat's disqualification stemmed from being found 100 grams overweight on the day of her historic gold medal bout in the women's 50kg wrestling. Despite her impressive victories in the previous rounds, including a triumph over four-time world champion Yui Susaki of Japan, her podium finish was nullified.Undeterred, Phogat and her team appealed to CAS for a joint silver medal. However, after several deferrals, CAS ultimately ruled against her plea. In an emotional social media post, Phogat expressed her disappointment and the hardships she had faced throughout her journey.Despite the setback, Phogat has hinted at a possible return to wrestling. "Maybe under different circumstances, I could see myself playing till 2032," she wrote. "I can't predict what the future holds for me, but I am sure that I will continue to fight always for what I believe in."Phogat's unwavering spirit and the outpouring of support she has received serve as a testament to her indomitable character. While her Olympic dream may have been cut short, her legacy as a champion and an inspiration to countless young athletes remains intact.

Vinesh Phogat, the former Indian wrestler, has opened up about her journey in life and wrestling after her plea for an Olympic medal was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and her subsequent retirement announcement.Growing up in a small village, Vinesh had simple dreams of long hair and a mobile phone. However, her father's aspirations for her to excel in wrestling and her mother's unwavering support shaped her path. After her father's untimely demise and her mother's cancer diagnosis, Vinesh and her siblings faced adversity head-on.Her mother's resilience and determination instilled in Vinesh a fighting spirit. She credits her husband, Somvir, as her constant companion and unwavering supporter. Vinesh acknowledges the challenges she faced over the past two years, but expresses gratitude for the support of those around her.Vinesh expresses her appreciation for the medical team that supported her through multiple surgeries and injuries. She highlights the expertise of Dr. Dinshaw Pandiwala, Dr. Wayne Patrick Lombard, and Ashwini Jeevan Patil. She also acknowledges the guidance of her personal coach, Woller Akes, who helped her overcome self-doubt.Vinesh emphasizes the importance of nutrition and thanks her nutritionist, Tajinder Kaur, for her support in managing her weight loss. She also commends the Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) team for their unwavering support during her injuries and struggles.Vinesh expresses her admiration for Gagan Narang, India's Chef-de-Mission for the Paris Olympics, and the Olympic support staff. She notes the kindness and empathy she experienced from them.Reflecting on the wrestlers' protest, Vinesh states that she fought to protect the sanctity of women and the Indian flag. She expresses her disappointment at not being able to fulfill her dream of winning an Olympic medal and representing the values of the Indian flag.Despite the setbacks, Vinesh remains determined to continue fighting for what she believes in. She acknowledges that her journey may not be the same, but she will always strive for excellence.

Manu Bhaker, the 22-year-old shooting prodigy, has emerged as a beacon of hope for India after her remarkable performance at the Paris Olympics. Having endured the disappointment of Tokyo, Bhaker's journey to redemption has been marked by resilience, determination, and unwavering belief.In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, Bhaker shared her insights into the lessons she learned from Tokyo and the strategies she employed to achieve success in Paris. Overcoming her fears and embracing a confident mindset proved crucial. She also emphasized the importance of consistent training and the ability to adapt to different match scenarios.Bhaker's brilliance in the mixed event was a testament to her exceptional skills and the support of her coach, Jaspal Rana. She attributed her success to the meticulous planning and preparation that went into each competition.Reflecting on India's overall performance at Paris, Bhaker acknowledged the talent and potential of Indian athletes. However, she stressed the need for better planning, scouting, and support for young athletes. She believes that grassroots development and early identification of talent are essential for India to close the gap on the top medal winners at the Olympics.Bhaker also highlighted the importance of supporting former Olympians like Saurabh Chaudhary, who she considers the finest shooter she has ever witnessed. She urged authorities to provide opportunities for athletes to regain their form and contribute to India's sporting success.Bhaker's journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and a reminder that setbacks can be transformed into triumphs with the right mindset and unwavering determination.

Nike's Innovation and Design Leaders Showcase the Art of Victory at the OlympicsDuring the recent Olympics, Nike's top executives, Chief Innovation Officer John Hoke and Chief Design Officer Martin Lotti, opened up about the brand's innovative spirit and the inspiration behind its iconic Air technology. At the Centre Pompidou in Paris, they guided a group of content creators and influencers through the brand's "Art of Victory" exhibit, highlighting the connection between art and athletic performance.Hoke emphasized the importance of collaboration with top athletes, explaining that Nike designs shoes in conjunction with them to meet their specific needs and goals. These features eventually trickle down to shoes available to the public. Lotti, a Swiss native who has worked with Nike in Oregon for 27 years, considers himself a global citizen and believes that the brand's work extends beyond shoes to include all aspects of athletic apparel.The "Art of Victory" exhibit showcased 13 future designs, but Lotti revealed that Nike works with approximately 13,000 athletes, whose input is invaluable. The brand's focus on innovation extends beyond footwear, encompassing everything an athlete wears to enhance performance.