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Paris 2024: India Aims to Surpass Tokyo Medal Haul, Eyes 2036 Olympic BidAs the 2024 Paris Olympics approach, India sets its sights on surpassing its historic seven-medal performance in Tokyo. The Games, which officially commence on Friday, present an opportunity to showcase India's sporting prowess and bolster its bid to host the 2036 Olympics.The Indian contingent faces a challenging task, with the absence of several Tokyo medallists. However, a younger generation of athletes, including wrestlers Aman Sehrawat and Antim Panghal, and boxer Nikhat Zareen, are poised to make their mark.Shooting, a sport that has underperformed in recent Olympics, will be under pressure to deliver. The team hopes to replicate its success at the Hangzhou Asian Games, where it won over half of its medals in team events.Archery, another early medal sport, has faced disappointments in the past. However, the team remains hopeful of a podium finish.The men's hockey team, which won bronze in Tokyo, faces a tougher challenge this time around. The group is more competitive, and the team's recent form has been inconsistent.Mirabai Chanu, who won silver in Tokyo, has been hampered by injuries. PV Sindhu, another Tokyo medallist, has also struggled with injuries. However, both athletes are known for their resilience and determination.Neeraj Chopra, the reigning javelin throw champion, remains India's brightest medal hope. His consistency and dominance in the sport make him a strong contender for gold.Beyond the medal count, India's performance in Paris will also impact its bid to host the 2036 Olympics. A successful Games will add weight to India's proposal, which was made public at last year's IOC Session in Mumbai.

India's Olympic aspirations have long been a subject of debate, with varying metrics used to measure success. As the nation prepares for the 2024 Paris Games, the focus remains on tangible results, with medals serving as the ultimate benchmark.For athletes like Neeraj Chopra, Olympic glory brings substantial rewards, including government grants and corporate endorsements. However, failure can lead to swift public disinterest. This pressure drives athletes to perform at their peak, recognizing that a single event can define their careers.To achieve excellence, experts emphasize the importance of mastering the process. Athletics Federation of India president Adille Sumariwalla advocates for a long-term approach, focusing on progression rather than immediate medal count. The government's increased financial support for athletics, amounting to ₹96.08 crore, reflects a renewed belief in the sport's potential.Manisha Malhotra, who has worked with both Abhinav Bindra and Neeraj Chopra, highlights the mental fortitude that sets successful athletes apart. They possess unwavering belief and leave no stone unturned in their preparation.Bindra believes that today's Indian athletes are more confident and ambitious than their predecessors. However, the pressure to perform remains constant, requiring adaptability and focus on the present moment.Despite significant progress, India still faces challenges in creating a thriving sports ecosystem. Grassroots coaching, infrastructure, and sports science expertise are crucial for nurturing talent. The government acknowledges the need for a comprehensive approach, emphasizing that financial support is not the sole solution.Bindra urges athletes to take pride in representing India, regardless of the outcome. He believes that the pursuit of Olympic glory should not overshadow the journey and the sacrifices made along the way.

Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has unanimously re-elected Nita M. Ambani as the IOC member from India. This marks a significant milestone for India's growing influence in the global sporting arena.Nita Ambani, the leading Indian philanthropist and Founder of the Reliance Foundation, was first appointed to the IOC in 2016. Since then, she has played a pivotal role in strengthening the Olympic Movement in India and worldwide.As India's first woman to join the IOC, Ambani has championed India's sporting ambitions and Olympic vision. She recently hosted the first IOC session in Mumbai in over 40 years, showcasing India's transformation and aspirations to the world.Through the Reliance Foundation, Ambani empowers millions of Indians with resources and opportunities. Her initiatives span sport, education, health, art, and culture, aiming to improve lives across the country.Reliance Foundation is at the forefront of driving India's sports growth. Its programs reach over 22.9 million children and youth, promoting a variety of sports, especially in remote areas.As part of a partnership with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Reliance Foundation will open the first-ever India House at the Paris Olympics 2024. This "home away from home" for athletes will celebrate India's Olympic journey and demonstrate its ambitions to become a global sports powerhouse.Ambani's re-election to the IOC is a testament to her dedication to the Olympic Movement and her unwavering commitment to promoting sports in India. It also reflects India's growing stature in the international sporting community.

As the Paris 2024 Olympics draw near, India's athletes are not only preparing physically but also donning their striking new JSW Inspire sports kits. These kits are not just athletic wear; they are symbols of national pride and are engineered with cutting-edge technology to enhance performance.The JSW Inspire kits boast several advanced features designed to optimize athleticism. The stretchable material conforms to the athlete's body, providing a custom fit that maximizes range of motion. Anti-static properties ensure comfort by reducing static cling, while strategically placed air vents facilitate airflow and heat dissipation, helping athletes manage the heat.Anti-microbial properties prevent unpleasant odors and fabric degradation, while Drytech+ technology wicks moisture away from the skin, keeping athletes cool and dry. This reduces chafing and irritation, allowing them to focus on their performance.The response to the official Indian Olympic merchandise has been overwhelming. Within just 2.5 weeks of its release, the traffic for these jerseys exceeded 100,000 visits, with most of the traffic being organic. This surge in interest reflects the national pride and love for sports among Indians. Over 5,000 orders have been placed, many by corporates providing kits for their members traveling to Paris.While major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, Kolkata, and Hyderabad accounted for a majority of the orders, there was also significant demand from tier-I and tier-II cities such as Rohtak, Chandigarh, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Sonipat, and Sivakasi.Indian athletes have expressed their pride and enthusiasm for the new kits. Neeraj Chopra, the javelin thrower, said, "As a JSW athlete, it makes me immensely proud to wear a kit manufactured by JSW Inspire at the Olympic Games. A part of an athlete's confidence in competition comes from the kitting. I really like the concept behind the design of these kits, and hope to see our contingent create as many winning moments in them."Manpreet Singh, captain of the men's hockey team, added, "It felt good to wear the jersey. I really liked 'India' written in Gold. It gave me goosebumps. It's always every athlete's dream to win a gold medal, and seeing India written in gold gives an athlete motivation. The jersey looks beautiful."Nishant Dev, a boxer, said, "I really like the design of the JSW Inspire kit, which pays tribute to India's vast terrains and mountains. Growing up, it was always my dream to represent India at the Olympic Games. To do it in these JSW Inspire kits as a JSW athlete makes it even more special."

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."

India's Olympic campaign kicks off on Friday with archers taking the stage, aiming to surpass their record medal haul of seven from Tokyo. Among the medal contenders, Neeraj Chopra faces stiff competition from Jakub Valdlejch and Arshad Nadeem in the javelin throw. The men's hockey team faces a challenging group stage, with Australia posing a significant threat. PV Sindhu, despite recent struggles, remains a medal hopeful but could face a showdown with reigning gold medalist Chen Yu Fei. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have a potential semifinal clash with Chinese top seeds in men's doubles. Nikhat Zareen identifies Turkey's Buse Naz Cakiroglu as her biggest challenge in the women's 50kg boxing category. Vinesh Phogat, despite past Olympic disappointments, aims to break the curse and secure a medal in wrestling.

Amit Panghal, the 28-year-old Indian boxer, has undergone a remarkable transformation since the Tokyo Olympics. After a brief setback, he has regained his spot on the national team and is determined to fulfill his grandfather's dream of winning an Olympic medal.Panghal's grandfather, Captain Jagram Panghal, was an undefeated wrestler in his village. His image is now tattooed on Panghal's shoulder blade, serving as a constant source of inspiration. "It ensures he is always around me. I draw a lot of peace and confidence from it," Panghal says.Despite being the world No. 1, Panghal suffered a disappointing exit in the opening bout of the Tokyo Olympics. However, his resilience has propelled him to a second chance at Olympic glory.Panghal's resurgence began with a victory at the Strandja Memorial in February. He then topped the evaluation criteria at the national camp, earning his return to the team.To prepare for Paris, Panghal underwent a month-long training stint at the high-altitude center in Shilaroo, Himachal Pradesh. This has significantly improved his endurance and stamina."My endurance has improved a lot. Initially, I would lose steam after a bit of brisk walking at this altitude, but now I feel fresh throughout the bout," Panghal says.Panghal has also worked on his starting problems, which cost him in Tokyo. He now plans to adopt a more proactive approach from the opening round."The solution is to go on early attacks and land a few punches to impress the judges. I have changed my reactive strategy and have decided to be proactive," he says.Panghal identifies Cuban Alejandro Carlo and Uzbekistan's Hasanboy Dusmatov as his main threats in Paris. However, he remains confident in his ability to counter taller opponents with his pacy in-out style."It's the style that has worked best for me. I feel the endurance work will enable me to pull this off against the best," he says.

The recent turmoil in Indian wrestling has had a significant impact on the sport's growth and development, according to Olympic medalist Yogeshwar Dutt. The sustained protests by top grapplers, including Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat, against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh led to a halt in wrestling activities for nearly a year and a half.This disruption had a cascading effect, with national camps and competitions being postponed. It adversely affected preparations for Olympic qualification events and, in turn, preparations for the Paris Games. Dutt expressed his disappointment with the situation, stating that it has severely affected the sport's growth and negatively impacted its followers.The turmoil also resulted in fewer Indian male wrestlers qualifying for the Games. In previous Olympics, three to five male wrestlers had qualified, but for Paris, only Aman Sehrawat has secured a spot. However, Dutt praised the women wrestlers for securing five spots, which he believes is a positive development.Dutt declined to comment on Vinesh's prospects at the Games, as she has moved up to the 50kg category. He expressed hope that the women wrestlers can win one or two medals, highlighting the experience of Antim Panghal and others.Dutt also emphasized the importance of continuing the tradition of Indian wrestlers winning medals at the Olympics. He expressed confidence that the six wrestlers representing India in Paris, including five women, can maintain this legacy.

The 2024 Paris Olympics promises to be a spectacle of athleticism and innovation, with the introduction of new sports and exciting format changes.Breaking: A New Dance on the Olympic StageBreaking, the electrifying dance form, makes its Olympic debut in Paris. Originating as a street dance, breaking has evolved into a competitive sport, showcasing incredible athleticism and creativity.Kayak Cross: A Race Against the CurrentCanoe slalom welcomes a new format with kayak cross. Four athletes race head-to-head from a ramp, navigating obstacles and battling for the finish line. This marks the first time canoeing features direct competition between participants.Returning Favorites: Surfing, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, and 3x3 BasketballSurfing returns to the Olympics, with the events taking place in the idyllic waters of Tahiti. Skateboarding, sport climbing, and the fast-paced 3x3 basketball also make a comeback, promising thrilling performances.Other Changes: Second Chances and Gender InclusivityTrack and field events from 200m to 1500m will offer a second chance for athletes who miss the semifinals. A repechage heat will allow "lucky losers" to compete for a spot in the next round.Artistic swimming welcomes men for the first time, promoting gender inclusivity in the sport. Women's boxing gains a new weight class, while men's events lose one. Weightlifting classes have been reduced from 14 to 10.In shooting, the mixed skeet team event replaces the mixed team trap event, providing a new challenge for competitors.