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The modern Olympic Games, a revival of the ancient Greek tradition, were born on April 6, 1896, in Athens. Baron Pierre de Coubertin's vision of international sporting competition came to fruition with the first Games in 1896, featuring 13 participating countries.The upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games, scheduled for July 26 to August 11, and the Paralympic Games, from August 28 to September 8, promise an unforgettable experience.Venues:Paris will host the majority of events, including fencing and taekwondo at the Grand Palais, beach volleyball and blind football at the Stade Eiffel, and swimming, triathlon, and cycling at the Pont Alexandre III. Historic stadiums like Parc des Princes, Stade de France, and Stade Roland Garros will also host events.Outside Paris, football matches will be played in Bordeaux, Nantes, Lyon, Saint-Etienne, Nice, and Marseille. Handball matches will take place at the Pierre de Mauroy stadium in Lille, while sailing events will be held at the Marina of Marseille. The exceptional Teahupo'o wave in Tahiti will host the surfing competition.Tickets:Tickets for the Olympic and Paralympic Games are available for purchase at paris24tickets.com and through the 'Paris 2024 Tickets' app. Resale of tickets is only permitted through the official Paris 2024 resale platform.Transportation:During the Games, several metro stations and roads will be closed. The blue and red perimeters will be accessible to pedestrians, cyclists, and skateboard and scooter users. Vélib' self-service bicycles will remain available, and cargo bikes may access the red perimeter after inspection.Accommodation:Book your accommodation early to secure a place near the Games. Airbnb, the worldwide partner of Paris 2024, offers options in the heart of the action. ALL, the Premium Partner, provides access to world-renowned hotel brands at guaranteed best prices.Free Events:Experience the excitement of the triathlon, marathon, and road cycling events for free. The triathlon events will take place in central Paris, while the marathon and marathon swimming events will cover routes between Paris and Versailles.Fan Zones:Paris City Hall will set up 25 fan zones where Olympic events will be broadcast on giant screens. These zones will also feature activities, refreshments, and awareness-raising spaces. Champions Park at Trocadéro will be open daily for fans to celebrate medal winners.Opening and Closing Ceremonies:The opening ceremony will take place on July 26, with the national delegations traveling along the Seine River in small boats. The closing ceremony will be held on August 11.New Disciplines:Paris 2024 will introduce four new sports: breaking (breakdancing), sport climbing, skateboarding, and surfing. Breaking will feature one-on-one battles between 16 participants, with judges awarding artistic scores.

India's Olympic journey towards Paris 2024 has begun with a promising start. The country has already secured 100 quotas across various sports, including archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, equestrian, golf, hockey, judo, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, tennis, weightlifting, and wrestling.The Tokyo Olympics saw India create history with its largest-ever contingent and its biggest medal haul in a single edition. Neeraj Chopra's historic gold in men's javelin throw was a defining moment. At Paris 2024, the focus will once again be on Chopra, who will look to defend his title.In shooting, India has secured quotas in every Olympic category for the first time. Trap shooter Prithviraj Tondaiman and women's trap shooter Rajeshwari Kumari were among the first to qualify.Athletics has also seen significant progress. Race walkers Priyanka Goswami and Akshdeep Singh became the first Indians to qualify for the event at Paris 2024. Four Indian athletes breached the qualifying standard in the men's 20km walk, with Akshdeep, Vikash, and Paramjeet Singh receiving the nod.In boxing, Jasmine Lamboria secured the quota in the women's 57kg category. Renowned sports medicine expert Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala has assured that all athletes are in prime condition for the Olympics.The complete list of Indian athletes who have qualified for Paris 2024 so far includes:* Archery: Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, Pravin Jadhav, Bhajan Kaur, Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat* Athletics: Akshdeep Singh, Vikash Singh, Paramjeet Singh Bisht, Priyanka Goswami, Avinash Sable, Parul Chaudhary, Jyothi Yarraji, Kiran Pahal, Tajinderpal Singh Toor, Abha Khatua, Neeraj Chopra, Kishore Jena, Annu Rani, Sarvesh Kushare, Praveen Chithravel, Abdulla Aboobacker, Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Muhammed Ajmal, Amoj Jacob, Santhosh Tamilarasan, Rajesh Ramesh, Mijo Chaco Kurian, Vidhya Ramaraj, Jyothika Sri Dandi, MR Poovamma, Subha Venkatesan, Prachi, Priyanka Goswami/Suraj Panwar* Badminton: H.S Prannoy, Lakshya Sen, P.V Sindhu, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Ashwini Ponappa, Tanisha Crasto* Boxing: Nikhat Zareen, Amit Phangal, Nishant Dev, Preeti Pawar, Lovlina Borgohain, Jaismine Lamboria* Equestrian: Anush Agarwalla* Golf: Subhankar Sharma, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Aditi Ashok, Diksha Dagar* Hockey: P.R Sreejesh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rogidas, Harmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Sanjay, Rajkumar Pal, Shamsher Singh, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh, Gujrant Singh* Judo: Tulika Mann* Rowing: Balraj Panwar* Sailing: Vishnu Saravanan, Nethra Kumanan* Shooting: Prithviraj Tondaiman, Rajeshwari Kumari, Shreyasi Singh, Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Raiza Dhillon, Maheshwari Chauhan, Anantjeet Singh Naruka/Maheshwari Chauhan, Sandeep Singh, Arjun Babuta, Elavenil Valarivan, Ramita Jindal, Swapnil Kusale, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Sift Kaur Samra, Anjum Moudgil, Sandeep Singh/Elavenil Valarivan, Arjun Babuta/Ramita Jindal, Arjun Cheema, Sarabjot Singh, Manu Bhaker, Rhythm Sangwam, Vijayveer Sidhu, Anish Bhanwala, Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh, Sarabjot Singh/Manu Bhakar, Arjun Cheema/Rhythm Sangwam* Swimming: Dhinidhi Desinghu, Srihari Nataraj* Table Tennis: Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai, Manav Thakkar, Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, Archana Kamath* Tennis: Sumit Nagal, Rohan Bopanna, Sriram Balaji* Weightlifting: Mirabai Chanu* Wrestling: Aman Sehrawat, Vinesh Phogat, Anshu Malik, Nisha Dahiya, Reetika Hooda, Antim Phangal

India's Olympic Journey: A Century of Triumphs and TransitionsIndia's Olympic journey began in 1900, when Norman Pritchard represented the country under British rule. However, it was in 1920 that India officially entered the Olympic Movement, sending a team to Antwerp. Since then, India has participated in 25 Summer Olympics, with Paris 2024 marking its 26th appearance.Over the years, India has witnessed numerous milestones and triumphs. The men's hockey team dominated the sport from 1928 to 1956, winning six consecutive gold medals. Dhyan Chand, the legendary hockey player, played a pivotal role in these victories.In recent years, India has made significant strides in other sports as well. Neeraj Chopra's historic gold medal in javelin at Tokyo 2020 was a testament to the country's growing prowess in athletics. India has also made its mark in shooting, wrestling, and badminton.Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, India is determined to make a strong showing at Paris 2024. A total of 111 athletes will represent the country, showcasing their talent and determination on the world stage.India's Olympic journey has been marked by both triumphs and transitions. From its humble beginnings under British rule to its emergence as a global sporting power, India's athletes have consistently inspired and united the nation. As the country prepares for Paris 2024, it is poised to continue its legacy of excellence and create new chapters in its Olympic history.

Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh is determined to reclaim the Olympic gold medal in Paris 2024, paying tribute to the country and legendary players. After winning a bronze medal in Tokyo 2020, ending a 41-year Olympic medal drought, India is aiming for the top prize in Paris."We are striving to elevate our legacy. Winning gold would be a tribute to India and our seniors," said Harmanpreet in an exclusive interview with JioCinema's 'The Dreamers.'Former captain Manpreet Singh, who led India to the historic bronze in Tokyo, shared similar sentiments. "Seeing our flag on the right, I felt we could strive harder to place it at the center next time, with our anthem playing. This marks the beginning of our renewed journey."Veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh emphasized the team's relentless drive and unity. "Someone somewhere is training to beat you. That thought pushes me out of my comfort zone. I am driven by the desire not to disappoint our country.""Indian hockey once relied on individual brilliance, but now we play as a cohesive unit, which has been key to our success," added Sreejesh.Chief coach Craig Fulton explained the team's mentality and strategy. "There isn't a team that this Indian team hasn't beaten. Our philosophy is to defend, counter, and win. We have a team that can defend against the best and counterattack from anywhere."India's resurgence in hockey has been attributed to a combination of factors, including the team's determination, unity, and strategic approach. The team's success has rekindled the passion for hockey in India and inspired a new generation of players.

Ankita Bhakat's impressive performance at the Final Olympic Qualifier in Paris has secured her an individual quota for the upcoming Paris Games. The ninth-seeded archer cruised to a 6-0 victory over Gabrielle Monica Bidaure of the Philippines in the pre-quarterfinals, earning India a quota in both men's and women's archery.Bhakat's journey to the quarterfinals included victories over Shelley Hilton and Mikaella Moshe of Israel. She will now face top-seed Mobina Fallah of Iran in the quarters. Bhajan, the third seed, also advanced to the pre-quarters after defeating Urantungalag Bishindee of Mongolia.While Bhakat and Bhajan continue their quest for a podium finish, India's premier archer Deepika Kumari suffered a disappointing opening round defeat to Yaylagul Ramazanova of Azerbaijan. Kumari, the former world No. 1, led 4-0 but faltered in the next two sets, allowing Ramazanova to level the match. The Azerbaijan archer then won the fifth set for a 6-4 victory.Despite the setback, India's men's and women's teams still have a chance to qualify for the Paris Games through the World Rankings. The men's team, currently ranked No. 2, and the women's team, ranked No. 8, can earn berths if they maintain their positions until the cutoff date of June 24.The top two nations from among those without team quotas will qualify for the Olympics based on their World Rankings after the third stage of the World Cup, which begins on Tuesday. India's nearest competitors in the men's rankings are China and Japan, while Indonesia, Colombia, and Italy are vying for the second spot in the women's rankings.

Nikhat Zareen, the reigning World Champion and Commonwealth Games Gold medalist, recently shared her inspiring journey and aspirations for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics in an interview with Dinesh Karthik on JioCinema's 'Get Set Gold.'Zareen's path to success has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. In 2019, she faced disappointment when she was denied a trial for the World Championships in the 51kg division. Undeterred, she raised her voice and demanded a fair chance, eventually securing a trial and proving her worth.Despite losing that bout, Zareen remained determined and focused on her goal of representing India at the Olympics. Her hard work and dedication paid off in 2022 when she became the World Champion in the Flyweight category. She further cemented her status as a global force by winning the Light Flyweight division in 2023.Zareen's journey is a testament to her resilience and unwavering belief in herself. She has overcome obstacles and used setbacks as motivation to push herself to greater heights. As she prepares for her Olympic debut in Paris, she is excited about the opportunity to represent her country on the world's biggest sporting stage."This is my first Olympics. Of course, I'm very excited about the Olympics, and there will be a lot of expectations from me," Zareen said. "But I'll take that expectation as a motivation, and I'll push myself inside the ring. This expectation is not a burden, I've always dreamt of representing India at the Olympics and I'll take that as a blessing."Zareen's achievements have not only brought glory to India but have also inspired countless young athletes. Her story is a reminder that with determination and perseverance, anything is possible. As she embarks on her Olympic journey, Zareen is poised to make history and leave an indelible mark on the world of boxing.

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.

Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Jaismine Lamboria has taken a significant step towards securing an Olympic quota for India at the World Olympic Boxing Qualifier in Bangkok, Thailand. The 22-year-old, who dropped down from 60kg, dominated Ana Marija Milisic of Switzerland in the round of 16, winning by a unanimous decision (5-0) in the 57kg weight class.With four quota places available in the women's 57kg category, Lamboria needs to win her quarterfinal on Sunday to book her ticket to the Paris Games and reclaim the quota for India. Parveen Hooda had initially secured the quota at the 2023 Asian Games, but her suspension for whereabouts failure forced India to surrender it.Lamboria, who had competed in the Asian Games and the first World qualifiers in 60kg, was allowed to participate in the 57kg event as a reserve. The bout against Milisic started cautiously, but Lamboria soon showcased her technical superiority, repeatedly jabbing her opponent.Despite Milisic's attempts to retaliate, Lamboria maintained distance with her long reach. She unleashed a combination of punches on a helpless Milisic, forcing the referee to give the Swiss a standing count. The bout resumed, but the outcome was clear.In the men's 57kg, former youth world champion Sachin Siwach fought valiantly but lost 0-5 to Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam of the Philippines in the semifinals. However, Siwach will have another chance to secure an Olympic berth as the 57kg category offers three quotas. The two losing semifinalists will face off in a box-off on Sunday for the remaining quota.Nishant Dev (71kg), Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) have already secured their passage to Paris.