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Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, had to settle for a silver at the Paris Olympics 2024. Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem took the gold with a Games record throw of 92.97m. Despite becoming the only Indian track and field athlete to win multiple Olympic medals, Neeraj remains humble as ever.In a viral video, Neeraj was seen apologizing to the fans after failing to defend his javelin throw crown. "I don't have much to say, but I've brought something to show you (silver medal). Sorry, like last time, there was no national anthem played, what I had thought, didn't happen but medal is medal, I had worked hard and winning a medal for the country and taking a lap of the track with the flag, that's a different feeling all together," Neeraj told the fans in the viral video.Chopra bagged the silver at the Paris showpiece with a throw of 89.45m behind Pakistan's Arshad, who hurled the javelin to 92.97m, an Olympic record. Anderson Peters of Grenada came third with a throw of 88.54m among the field that included some high-profile javelin throwers like Julian Webber, Jakub Vadlejch, and Julius Yego.Neeraj expressed dissatisfaction with his performance and revealed that the last two to three years were not good for him in terms of fitness. "It was a good throw but I am not that happy with my performance today. My technique and runway were not that good. (I managed) only one throw, the rest I fouled," Neeraj said according to Olympics.com."(For my) second throw I believed to think I can also throw that far. But in javelin, if your run is not so good, you cannot throw very far," added Neeraj.The Indian ace javelin thrower, who also is the current Asian Games champion, said that injuries leading to his title defense in Paris made some difference and he will have to work on being injury-free and on his technique. "The last two or three years were not so good for me. I am always injured. I really tried hard, but I have to work on my injury (staying injury-free) and technique," the 26-year-old added.

India's Paris Olympics 2024 campaign concluded with a respectable six medals, just one shy of their historic Tokyo 2020 haul. The nation's most successful Olympic outing remains Tokyo 2020, where they secured seven medals.Manu Bhaker emerged as a shooting star, claiming two bronze medals in the individual and mixed team events. Swapnil Kusale also contributed a bronze in shooting. Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion in men's javelin throw, added a silver to his collection. The men's hockey team fought valiantly to secure a bronze medal against Spain. Aman Sehrawat rounded out India's medal tally with a bronze in wrestling.The possibility of India matching their Tokyo 2020 medal count remains open, pending the outcome of Vinesh Phogat's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). If successful, she could be awarded a joint silver medal.

Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic gold medalist, expressed mixed emotions about India's performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. While acknowledging the team's achievement in matching its London 2012 medal haul, Bindra lamented the absence of a gold medal.India sent a 117-member contingent to Paris, hoping to surpass its previous best Olympic performance in Tokyo. However, the team returned with six medals: five bronze and one silver. Bindra believes this result falls short of expectations, particularly in terms of gold medals."The Olympics is an incredibly challenging platform to perform on," Bindra said. "External and internal expectations can hinder athletes from letting go and performing at their best."India's campaign began promisingly with Manu Bhaker winning two bronze medals in shooting. Swapnil Kusale added a third bronze in the men's 50m rifle 3 position. However, the badminton, boxing, and archery contingents failed to deliver medals.In the final days of the Games, Neeraj Chopra won a silver medal in javelin throw, while the men's hockey team and wrestler Aman Sehrawat clinched bronze. Vinesh Phogat's disqualification prevented India from potentially winning a gold medal in wrestling.Despite the disappointment, Bindra emphasized the importance of continued investment in Olympic sports. "We must consolidate the gains that have been made and work harder to get there," he said.Bindra believes that India's athletes have performed well overall, but the lack of gold medals remains a concern. He urged athletes to focus on their own performance rather than external expectations.

Pakistan's javelin throw sensation, Arshad Nadeem, has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Neeraj Chopra's mother, Saroj Devi, for her maternal affection. Nadeem's historic triumph at the Paris Olympics 2024, where he became the first Pakistani to win an individual gold medal in javelin, has garnered immense admiration and support.Following the event, Devi expressed her fondness for Nadeem, stating that he was like a son to her. Nadeem's response was filled with warmth and appreciation. "A mother is a mother for everyone, so she prays for everyone too. I'm grateful to Neeraj Chopra's mother. She's my mother too. She prayed for us, and we were just two players from South Asia who performed on the world stage," Nadeem said.Nadeem's remarkable achievement has not only brought glory to Pakistan but has also strengthened the bond between the two neighboring nations. His victory has been celebrated across the border, with many Indians expressing their joy and admiration for the Pakistani athlete.In recognition of his exceptional performance, the Pakistani government has announced that Nadeem will be honored with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, the second-highest civilian award in the country. Additionally, a commemorative stamp titled 'Azm-e-Istehkam' (commitment to stability) will be issued on the occasion of Pakistan's 77th Independence Day.Nadeem's triumph is a testament to his unwavering determination and the support he has received from his family, coaches, and the Pakistani people. His victory has inspired countless young athletes and has brought immense pride to his nation.

The Paris Olympics 2024 concluded with a thrilling finish, with the United States emerging victorious in the medal standings. After two weeks of intense competition, the US secured 44 gold medals, 44 silver medals, and 45 bronze medals, totaling 133 medals. China finished second with 40 gold medals, 27 silver medals, and 28 bronze medals, for a total of 95 medals.The final day of the Games was filled with drama, as the US trailed China by a single gold medal heading into the final event, women's basketball. The US, heavy favorites in the sport, delivered a nail-biting 67-66 victory over hosts France to clinch their eighth consecutive gold medal in women's basketball.Jennifer Valente, the reigning Olympic champion in the omnium, played a crucial role for the US, winning gold in the event and narrowing the gap with China. Li Wenwen of China had earlier secured gold in the women's +81kg weightlifting event, giving her country a 40th gold medal.Hosts France finished fifth in the medal tally with 16 gold medals, 20 silver medals, and 27 bronze medals, for a total of 63 medals. India ended their campaign with a silver medal and five bronze medals, finishing 71st in the standings.The Paris Olympics 2024 showcased the exceptional athleticism and determination of over 10,000 athletes from around the world. The US's triumph was a testament to their dominance in various sports, while China's strong performance highlighted their growing presence on the global sporting stage.

Amit Rohidas, India's defensive mainstay, endured sleepless nights after his red card in the hockey quarterfinal against Great Britain led to a one-match suspension for the semifinal. However, he expressed gratitude to his teammates for their unwavering support during this challenging time.Despite the setback, the Indian men's hockey team secured a record-extending successive bronze medal, their 13th Olympic hockey medal. Rohidas' red card in the 17th minute of the quarterfinals, which was upgraded to a red card after a video referral, resulted in his suspension for the semifinal against Germany.Reflecting on the incident, Rohidas emphasized that it was unintentional and that the referee's decision is part of the game. Despite being down to 10 men, goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh put up a heroic performance, taking the match to a shootout where he made the difference with his saves.Rohidas expressed pride in the team's ability to overcome the numerical disadvantage and defeat their opponents in the shootout. He highlighted the team's resilience and determination, noting that they had set records by beating Australia after 52 years and winning with 10 players.While acknowledging that a gold or silver medal would have been ideal, Rohidas emphasized that the team is grateful for the bronze medal. He believes that destiny plays a role and that the team is fortunate to return home with a medal.The Indian team's journey began with a rusty win over New Zealand in a tough pool A. They grew stronger with each match, culminating in a 3-2 victory over Australia in their concluding league match. The bronze medal match against Spain marked a fitting farewell for veteran goalkeeper Sreejesh, who played his last international match.Rohidas spoke about the collective leadership within the team, emphasizing that there is no single leader and that everyone contributes to the leadership role. He also highlighted the team's challenging three-day boot camp in Switzerland led by adventurer Mike Horn, which tested their physical and mental limits.

The 2024 Paris Olympics witnessed a plethora of unforgettable moments, from the controversial opening ceremony to the inspiring triumphs of athletes. Here's a detailed account of the top 10 highlights:1. Rain-Soaked Opening Ceremony Parade:The opening ceremony's boat parade on the River Seine was marred by controversy. A scene featuring drag queens and a lesbian DJ sparked outrage among religious and conservative groups, leading to online harassment and police complaints.2. Djokovic's Golden Slam Triumph:Novak Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling men's tennis final, becoming the fifth player to complete the Golden Slam. The 37-year-old's victory was met with tears of joy and a roar that echoed through Roland Garros.3. Biles' Respectful Bow to Andrade:Simone Biles, despite her own silver medal finish, displayed sportsmanship by bowing to her rival Rebeca Andrade on the podium. Biles acknowledged Andrade's dominance, earning praise for her humility.4. Lyles' Photo-Finish Victory:Noah Lyles edged out Kishane Thompson in a dramatic men's 100m final, separated by a mere five thousandths of a second. The photo-finish confirmed Lyles' victory, making it the closest finish in modern Olympic history.5. Pakistan's Javelin Gold:Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan won the men's javelin title, his country's first individual Olympic gold. His record-breaking throw of 92.97m surpassed India's defending champion Neeraj Chopra.6. North-South Korea Podium Selfie:A viral selfie featuring Olympic table tennis players from North and South Korea on the medal podium symbolized cross-border unity. The image captured the spirit of sportsmanship and the hope for reconciliation.7. Trew's Skateboarding Gold:Australian skateboarding sensation Arisa Trew, at just 14, became her country's youngest Olympic gold medalist. Her high-risk performance in the women's park event captivated the crowd.8. Gender-Row Boxer's Triumph:Algerian boxer Imane Khelif overcame controversy to win gold. Disqualified from previous competitions due to gender eligibility tests, she used her platform to denounce "bullying" and declare her identity as a woman.9. Cuban Wrestler's Historic Gold:Mijain Lopez became the first athlete to win five consecutive individual golds in the same Olympic event. The 42-year-old wrestler's victory cemented his legacy as one of the greatest Olympians.10. Yusuf Dikec's Casual Shooting Style:Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec became an internet sensation for his unconventional style. Wearing glasses, a T-shirt, and his left hand in his pocket, he won a silver medal, showcasing the diversity of Olympic athletes.

Vinesh Phogat's Olympic medal hopes remain in limbo as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has postponed its verdict on her appeal against disqualification from the women's 50kg freestyle final at the Paris Olympics 2024. The ad-hoc division of CAS will now announce its decision on August 13.Phogat, who was the favorite for gold, was disqualified after being found overweight by 100 grams during the weigh-in on Wednesday morning ahead of the final. She appealed to CAS for a joint silver medal alongside Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who had lost to the Indian but was promoted to the final as her replacement.Amid the wait, Phogat has received support from fellow Olympians, including Neeraj Chopra, who won silver in men's javelin throw in Paris. Chopra expressed hope for a positive outcome but also voiced concerns about the public's memory if the decision goes against Phogat."If she gets the medal, it would be very good. If things had not panned out the way they did, she would have had the medal. I hope she gets it because if you don't have it around your neck, that thing stays in your heart," Chopra said."Today people might say that she is our champion but, I feel till the time one is not on the podium they will forget after a few days. Mujhe yeh darr hai bas. Agar aisa na hota, a medal wouldn't have mattered. So, I hope she gets the medal. I just hope whether she gets the medal or not, people don't forget what she did for the country," he added.Phogat's disqualification has sparked controversy, with many questioning the fairness of the weigh-in process. The Indian wrestler has maintained that she was within the weight limit and that the scales used were inaccurate.The CAS verdict on August 13 will determine whether Phogat will receive a silver medal or remain without an Olympic medal. The outcome will have a significant impact on her legacy and the perception of the weigh-in process in wrestling.

India's performance at the Paris Olympics 2024 was a mixed bag of triumphs and disappointments. The contingent of 117 athletes aimed to surpass their record-breaking Tokyo 2020 tally, but ultimately returned with six medals: one silver and five bronze.Manu Bhaker emerged as India's first medallist, securing bronze in the women's 10m air pistol event. She made history by becoming the first Indian markswoman to win an Olympic podium finish and ending India's 12-year wait for a shooting medal. Bhaker's success continued with a second bronze in the mixed team 10m air pistol event alongside Sarabjot Singh.Swapnil Kusale added a third medal in shooting, winning bronze in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions. This marked India's highest medal haul in a single sport at the Games.The Indian men's hockey team replicated their Tokyo Olympics feat, defeating Spain 2-1 to secure bronze. This was India's first back-to-back medal in men's hockey in 52 years.Neeraj Chopra became India's first track-and-field athlete to win consecutive Olympic medals, following his Tokyo gold with a silver in Paris. He also became the fifth Indian athlete with at least two Olympic medals and the third to win in back-to-back editions.India's campaign concluded with Aman Sehrawat winning bronze in men's 57kg freestyle wrestling, becoming the nation's youngest Olympic medallist.However, India narrowly missed out on six additional medals. Arjun Babuta finished fourth in the men's 10m air rifle individual final, while Maheshwari Chauhan and Anant Jeet Singh Naruka lost by a single point in the skeet mixed team event. Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara came close to a bronze in archery but lost their playoff clash. Bhaker missed out on a third medal by a whisker in the women's 25m Rapid Air Pistol event. Lakshya Sen had two opportunities to secure a medal in men's singles badminton but fell short in both the semifinal and bronze-medal match. Mirabai Chanu narrowly missed a second Olympic medal, finishing fourth in the women's 49kg weightlifting event.Despite the missed opportunities, India's performance in Paris was their third-best outing at the Summer Games after Tokyo 2020 and London 2012. The contingent's six medals brought India's total Olympic medal count to 35.