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The Indian hockey team, despite falling short of their gold medal aspirations, will strive to replicate their Tokyo 2020 performance and secure a medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. Led by Harmanpreet Singh, the team has showcased exceptional dominance throughout their campaign, defeating Argentina, New Zealand, and Australia. They narrowly lost to Belgium in the quarterfinals but triumphed over Great Britain in a thrilling penalty shootout to reach the semifinals.In the semifinals, India faced reigning world champions Germany. Despite the absence of key defender Amit Rohidas due to a controversial red card, the team played with determination and matched the Germans' intensity. However, they ultimately fell behind in the final six minutes of the match.A medal at the Paris Olympics would provide a significant boost to India's campaign, which has been marked by misfortune and several fourth-place finishes. The team's last Olympic medal came on August 1, 1980, and all eyes will be on them to break the drought and provide a fitting farewell to veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh.

Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty's response to wrestler Vinesh Phogat's disqualification from the Paris Olympics 2024 has sparked controversy online. Murty's remarks, which downplayed the significance of Phogat's disqualification, were met with criticism from many netizens."It happens. What to do. It is part of the game. I feel sorry about it. That's all I can tell you," Murty told news agency PTI outside parliament on Wednesday.Phogat, 29, was disqualified for being 100 gm overweight ahead of her 50kg category gold medal bout in the Olympics on Wednesday. The setback sent shockwaves in India, filling her fans and supporters with anger and angst.Murty's response was met with a barrage of criticism on social media, with many users accusing her of being insensitive and dismissive of Phogat's disappointment."Simplicity at its finest," X user Ujyant Ramesh said sarcastically, taking a dig at Sudha Murty's public persona of simplicity."Billions of Indians are heartbroken today because of disqualification of Vinesh. But this statement is like rubbing salt over it," another user, with the handle named Amockxi FC, said."You protest. Can't keep quiet," one user said.However, some users defended Murty's remarks, arguing that she was simply stating the facts."Sudha Murty ji is absolutely right. If we words pinch you, then it's your problem. She is telling the truth in a practical way," he said.Phogat announced her decision of retirement on social media, seeking forgiveness from everyone who supported her.Last year, Murty, who is the wife of Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy, faced backlash on the internet for her statements on her food preferences and saying that she carries a spoon with her."I am adventurous in my work, not in my food. I am in fact scared. I am a pure vegetarian, I don’t even eat eggs, or garlic. What I am scared of is, is that the same spoon will be used for both, vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. It weighs on my mind a lot! Hence when we go out, I only search for veg restaurants. Or, I carry one bag full of eatables. I carry ready-to-eat stuff, that you have to just heat in water, I carry poha," Sudha Murty had said in an the interview with YouTube interview “Khaane Mein Kya Hai”.

Morocco's Soufiane El Bakkali etched his name in Olympic history by successfully defending his 3000m steeplechase title at the Paris Olympics 2024. His victory marked a remarkable achievement, making him only the third Arab athlete to win double gold at the Summer Games.El Bakkali's triumph was hard-fought, as he faced stiff competition from American Kenneth Rooks and Kenyan Abraham Kibiwot. However, the Moroccan runner displayed his resilience and determination, clocking a time of 8min 06.05sec to secure the gold medal. Rooks and Kibiwot finished with silver and bronze, respectively.The race was marred by a worrying incident involving Ethiopian world record holder Lamecha Girma. Girma suffered a severe fall at a hurdle, leaving him prone on the track. He was eventually stretchered off and taken to the hospital, but thankfully, he did not require surgery.El Bakkali's victory was particularly significant as he overcame a challenging year marked by injuries. He credited his teammate Mohamed Tindouft for helping him break the Ethiopian team's tactics during the race."I was suffering from an injury, but I was able to overcome it," said El Bakkali. "The race was not easy. There was an Ethiopian plan, but thank God my compatriot Tindouft helped me."El Bakkali's second Olympic gold places him among the elite Arab athletes who have achieved double victories at the Summer Games. He joins Moroccan legend Hicham El Guerrouj and Tunisian swimmer Oussama Mellouli in this exclusive club.While El Bakkali celebrated his triumph, concerns lingered over Girma's condition. The Ethiopian runner's fall raised questions about the safety of the steeplechase event and the need for improved safety measures.

Artistic swimming, also known as synchronized swimming, is a captivating sport that combines athleticism, artistry, and precision. At the recent Paris Olympics 2024, the USA artistic swimming team showcased their exceptional skills with a mesmerizing performance set to Michael Jackson's iconic song "Smooth Criminal."The team's routine featured intricate choreography, synchronized movements, and an underwater moonwalk, paying homage to the legendary singer and dancer. Their performance went viral on social media, capturing the hearts of viewers worldwide.Artistic swimming requires athletes to perform acrobatic maneuvers in water while maintaining perfect synchronization with their teammates. They are judged on their execution, synchronicity, difficulty, music interpretation, and choreography.Traditionally a women's sport, artistic swimming has recently introduced mixed duet events, allowing male swimmers to participate. The sport has been an Olympic discipline since 1984, with Russia dominating recent competitions.At the Paris Olympics, the USA team placed fourth in the technical routine team event, finishing behind China, Spain, and Japan. The technical routine emphasizes precision and synchronization, while the upcoming free routine will showcase the teams' creativity and artistic expression.Artistic swimming is a demanding sport that requires years of training and dedication. Athletes must possess exceptional flexibility, strength, endurance, and musicality. They spend countless hours practicing in the pool, perfecting their routines and striving for flawless execution.The sport's unique blend of athleticism and artistry makes it a captivating spectacle for spectators. The combination of graceful movements, synchronized formations, and the rhythm of the music creates a mesmerizing experience that leaves audiences in awe.

Neeraj Chopra, India's golden boy of athletics, has embarked on his quest for Olympic glory once again at the Paris Olympics 2024. The Arjuna Award winner made a resounding start to his campaign, qualifying for the javelin final with an impressive throw of 89.34m in Paris.Chopra's performance has ignited a wave of optimism among Indians, who are eagerly anticipating another medal-winning performance from their star athlete. The javelin throw event is set to commence shortly, and the nation is holding its breath in anticipation of Chopra's title defense.Social media has been abuzz with reactions to Chopra's qualification, with many expressing confidence in his ability to clinch the gold medal. "Neeraj Chopra is ready to make history again with his golden arm," wrote one fan. Another added, "Golden boy Neeraj Chopra."If Chopra emerges victorious today, he will not only add a gold medal to India's Olympic tally but also become the first Indian athlete to win multiple individual gold medals at the Olympics. This would be a historic achievement for both Chopra and Indian sports.Chopra's journey to the Paris Olympics has been marked by determination and hard work. After creating history at the Tokyo Olympics by becoming the second Indian to win an individual gold medal, Chopra has continued to push himself to new heights.In Tokyo, Chopra clinched the gold medal with a throw of 87.58m in his second attempt. His victory marked a significant milestone for Indian athletics, as he became the first Indian to win an Olympic medal in a track-and-field discipline in over 120 years.Chopra's success has inspired a new generation of Indian athletes and has brought renewed attention to the sport of javelin throw. His performance in Paris is eagerly awaited, and the nation is confident that he will once again make India proud.

Indian Athletes Face Disappointment on Day 12 of Paris Olympics 2024Day 12 of the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024 brought mixed fortunes for Indian athletes, with weightlifter Mirabai Chanu narrowly missing out on a bronze medal and wrestler Vinesh Phogat being disqualified from the gold medal match.WeightliftingMirabai Chanu, India's weightlifting star, had a disappointing outing in the women's 49kg category. She lifted 88kg in snatch, putting her in contention for a medal. However, she could only manage 111kg in clean and jerk, resulting in a total lift of 199kg. This placed her fourth overall, just short of a historic second Olympic medal.WrestlingVinesh Phogat's Olympic journey came to an abrupt end when she was disqualified from the women's 50kg gold medal match for failing to make weight. She was reportedly found to be 100gm overweight on the morning of the bout. Phogat, who had been a medal contender, expressed her disappointment on social media, announcing her retirement from wrestling.Table TennisIndia's women's table tennis team, consisting of Sreeja Akula, Manika Batra, and Archana Ghosh, suffered a 1-3 defeat to Germany in the quarter-finals. The team had a strong start, winning the first game, but Germany fought back to claim the next three games and advance to the semi-finals.AthleticsIn athletics, Avinash Sable finished 11th in the men's 3000m steeplechase final with a time of 8:14:18s. Jyothi Yarraji placed seventh in the women's 100m hurdles heats. Other Indian athletes, including Sarvesh Kushare, Suraj Panwar, Priyanka Goswami, and Annu Rani, failed to qualify for their respective finals.

Indian hockey goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh urged his team to seize their second chance at an Olympic medal in Paris 2024, despite their heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Germany in the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics.Sreejesh, who will retire from international hockey after the bronze medal match against Spain on Thursday, emphasized the importance of securing a medal for the country. "It's a medal match, and it's not about me; it's about the country, the 19 players, and the staff," he said. "We have one last opportunity to play, to get a medal for our country, and we should focus on that rather than dwelling on what happened today."The veteran custodian acknowledged that India missed several chances, including penalty corners. "We had our opportunities but couldn't convert many of them. You can see it in the scoreline. It's a matter of homework," he said. "They did a wonderful job against Harman, how to tackle him. He's one of the best drag-flickers in the world, and that's what they did against us."Despite the setback, Sreejesh praised his team's fighting spirit. "My players have done a wonderful job. They fought back, they really stood tall. Unfortunately, we couldn't finish it the way we wanted. It's not an easy deal," he said.Sreejesh expressed confidence in the team's ability to bounce back against Spain in the bronze medal match. "We are tough. I believe we will bounce back in a better way. This consultation will have to be about how to fight that bronze medal match more than discussing this loss," he said. "We need to look at this match also because from there we will realize what went wrong and what we can do better. Because a lot of the opposition look into these kinds of matches, they learn how they can hurt us in certain ways. So we need to find that out and we need to block that.""Spain is not an easy team. They are real fighters. The way they played in the quarterfinals showed that we can't be in a relaxing chair," Sreejesh added.

In a thrilling semifinal clash at the Paris Olympics, Germany rallied from behind to defeat India 3-2 in the men's hockey competition. The match swung like a pendulum, with both teams showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive resilience.India started brightly, earning seven penalty corners in the opening quarter. Captain Harmanpreet Singh converted the sixth one to give India an early lead. However, Germany responded with a crisp shot from Peillat Gonzalez off their first short corner.The second quarter saw Germany take the lead through a stroke, awarded after a goal-bound ball hit Jarmanpreet Singh's foot. India fought back in the third quarter, with Sukhjeet Singh leveling the scores off a Harmanpreet deflection.The final period was a tense affair, with both teams desperate for a win. Germany regained the lead through Marco Miltkau's deflection, and despite India's best efforts, they could not find an equalizer.India's bronze medal hopes remain alive, as they will face the loser of the other semifinal between Australia and Belgium in the third-place match on Thursday.

The Netherlands, the world's top-ranked men's hockey team, secured their place in the Paris Olympics final on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, with a dominant 4-0 victory over Spain. The Dutch, who had faced a tough challenge from Spain in the group stage, showcased their clinical precision and tactical prowess in this crucial match.The match began with a flurry of attacks from both sides, but it was the Netherlands who broke the deadlock in the 12th minute. Jip Janssen converted a penalty stroke after Spanish goalkeeper Luis Calzado fouled forward Tjep Hoedemakers. The goal ignited the Dutch crowd, who had turned out in force to support their team.The Netherlands continued to press forward, and their efforts were rewarded in the 20th minute when Thierry Brinkman netted the second goal. Brinkman collected a rebound off Spanish defender Ignacio Rodriguez's stick and blasted the ball into the back of the net.The third quarter saw the Dutch extend their lead further. Thijs van Dam found himself with plenty of space in the circle after two Spanish defenders collided, and he made no mistake in sinking his shot. The crowd erupted in cheers once again in the 50th minute when Duco Telgenkamp scored the team's fourth goal.Spain, despite their valiant efforts, were unable to find a way past the Dutch defense. The Netherlands goalkeeper, Maurits Visser, made several crucial saves to keep a clean sheet.The victory marks a significant milestone for the Netherlands, who are seeking their first Olympic gold medal in men's hockey since 1996. They will face the winner of the other semifinal between Australia and Germany in the final on August 8.Spain, on the other hand, will have a chance to compete for a medal in the bronze medal match. They will face the loser of the Australia-Germany semifinal.