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Mark Chestnut, an avid Olympic enthusiast from the Midwest, has embarked on a unique journey at the 2024 Paris Olympics. With a cotton scarf adorned with hundreds of Olympic pins, Chestnut has made pin trading a central part of his Olympic experience.Chestnut has attended 12 Olympic Games, both summer and winter, and has amassed an impressive collection of pins. He eagerly anticipates the opportunity to expand his collection and engage in lively trades with fellow enthusiasts. "My favorite pins never come out," he says, referring to the pins around his neck. "They're all part of my trading collection."While Chestnut arrived in Paris in time for the opening ceremony, he opted to watch it on a big screen at a local bar. "Opening and closing ceremonies are much better on TV," he explains. "It's a waste of money to attend in person because you can't see much from a distance, and the tickets are expensive."Instead, Chestnut has immersed himself in the vibrant atmosphere of the national hospitality houses. He highly recommends the Czechia House, known for its lively parties and excellent beer. However, he advises against visiting the USA House due to its hefty entry fee and additional charges for food and drinks.Chestnut's Olympic experience extends beyond pin trading and national hospitality houses. He has also been actively participating in sports events, cheering on athletes from around the world. He believes that the true spirit of the Olympics lies in the camaraderie and shared passion for sportsmanship.

Dhara Rathi, a marketing executive from Mumbai, had a whirlwind experience in Paris during the 2024 Olympics. Despite missing out on a volunteer opportunity due to a missed email, she immersed herself in the Olympic spirit and witnessed the opening ceremony firsthand.Rathi's journey to Paris was almost derailed by heavy rains in Mumbai, but a delayed flight allowed her to make it in time. While she wasn't attending the Olympics for the sports, she was eager to experience the atmosphere and connect with people.Despite her lack of interest in sports, Rathi found herself drawn to the fan park in Paris, where she witnessed the opening ceremony live. The crowd's enthusiasm and camaraderie impressed her, particularly the thunderous cheers for the Ukrainian team.Rathi's Paris itinerary included iconic landmarks like the Sacre Coeur and indulging in croissants, but she also embraced the Olympic revelry. She observed the excitement and joy of the crowd, noting the universal appeal of the Games.While Rathi may not be a sports enthusiast, she is proud of India's medal hopes and appreciates the unifying power of the Olympics. Her experience in Paris has given her a newfound appreciation for the spirit of the Games and the importance of human connection.

India's Olympic campaign in Paris 2024 got off to a flying start on Tuesday, with Neeraj Chopra and Vinesh Phogat securing impressive victories.Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion in javelin throw, qualified for the final with a mammoth throw of 89.34m on his first attempt. This was his second-best throw ever, behind only his 89.94m effort at the Stockholm Diamond League in 2022.Vinesh Phogat, a three-time Olympian, registered two stunning wins in the women's 50kg freestyle wrestling category. She first defeated Japan's Yui Susaki, a five-time world champion, in a major upset. Phogat then overcame Ukraine's Oksana Vasylivna Livach in the quarterfinals to book her place in the semifinals.Phogat's victories were particularly significant given her recent struggles. She had been a vocal critic of the former President of the Wrestling Federation of India, Brij Bhushan Singh, and had faced backlash for her protests. She also suffered a serious knee injury in 2023, which ruled her out of the Asian Games.Chopra, who is also the reigning world champion, praised Phogat's performance, saying, "This is extraordinary. To beat Susaki is unreal. The effort she has put in shows. After what she has been through, I pray for her that she wins a medal."Phogat, who narrowly missed a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016, will be aiming to make history in Paris. She is the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the semifinals of an Olympic Games.India's strong start to the Paris Olympics is a testament to the hard work and dedication of its athletes. Chopra and Phogat are both medal contenders, and their performances have raised hopes for a successful Games for India.

The Indian contingent at the Paris Olympic Games 2024 continues to strive for its fourth medal, with shooters having secured three bronze medals thus far. Manu Bhaker played a pivotal role in two of these medals, while Sarabjot Singh and Swapnil Kusale showcased exceptional performances to ensure India's success in shooting. However, the nation faced disappointment in badminton and boxing, with no athletes securing medals in these disciplines.On Tuesday, August 11th, India has the potential to secure two silver medals if favorable results occur. The men's hockey team faces Germany in the semi-final, aiming to guarantee a silver medal by winning the match and advancing to the gold medal contest.In wrestling, India's star performer Vinesh Phogat will take center stage, beginning with her round of 16 match. She faces Yui Susaki of Japan in her first bout, and a victory will propel her to the quarter-final. Phogat could potentially compete in her semi-final match on the same day, assuring India of at least a silver medal in wrestling if she emerges victorious in all three potential matches.India's medal tally could have been significantly higher if certain athletes had converted their fourth-place finishes into podium positions. The nation has already witnessed five fourth-place finishes in the Paris Games, including two in shooting, two in badminton, and one in archery.

Vinesh Phogat, India's wrestling icon, embarks on her quest for Olympic glory at the Paris Olympics 2024, commencing on Tuesday. She faces a formidable challenge in her opening bout against Japan's Yui Susaki, the reigning Olympic champion in the women's 50kg category.Phogat, a world championship bronze medalist and a gold medalist at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and Asian Championships, is determined to start her campaign with a victory. However, Susaki poses a significant obstacle, having won gold at Tokyo 2020 without surrendering a single point. Her undefeated streak since 2010, with the exception of three losses to Yuki Irie, further underscores her dominance.Susaki's exceptional technique has earned her numerous accolades, including gold medals at the 2017 Paris World Wrestling Championships (48kg), 2018 Budapest World Wrestling Championships (50kg), and 2022 World Wrestling Championships (50kg). Her impressive resume also boasts an Olympic gold, five World Championships golds, two Asian Championships golds, and gold medals at the Golden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin and World U-23 Championships.Phogat faces an arduous task, having suffered a quarterfinal defeat at Tokyo 2020 against Belarusian Vanesa Kaladzinskaya. In her Olympic debut at Rio 2016, she was a medal contender but was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury.Despite the daunting challenge, facing Susaki could prove advantageous for Phogat. As the Japanese wrestler is heavily favored to reach the final, it could open up the repechage route for Phogat, who dropped down to the 50kg category to accommodate Antim Panghal in the 53kg category.Phogat's accomplishments are remarkable, making her the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold at both the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. She is also the only Indian woman wrestler to win multiple medals at the World Wrestling Championships.

India's Paris Olympics 2024 Schedule: Day 6 Brings Hope and AnticipationDay 6 of the Paris Olympics 2024 holds immense promise for India, offering a chance to redeem the disappointment of previous days. The Indian men's hockey team faces Germany in a crucial semi-final match, while celebrated wrestler Vinesh Phogat takes to the mat. The spotlight, however, will be on Neeraj Chopra, India's golden boy in javelin throw.Chopra, who made history as India's first Olympic gold medalist in athletics, has continued his dominance since his Tokyo triumph. He has emerged victorious in the World Championship, Asian Games, and Diamond League finals. On Tuesday, he will begin his Olympic campaign in Qualification Group B at 15:20 IST.An hour earlier, Asian Games silver medalist Kishore Kumar Jena will aim to qualify for the final in Men's Javelin Throw Qualification Group A at 13:50 IST. The day will commence with the men's table tennis team of Harmeet Desai, Manav Thakkar, and Achanta Sharath Kamal launching their campaign in the Quarterfinals of the Men's Team Competition.In athletics, Kiran Pahal will compete in the Women's 400m Repechage at 2.50 pm IST. Vinesh Phogat, India's wrestling star, will face Japan's Yui Susaki in the Women's 50kg Round of 16 at 2.30 pm IST.

Indian hockey's legendary goalkeeper, PR Sreejesh, etched his name in history once again with a heartwarming gesture during the team's thrilling victory over Great Britain in the Paris Olympics 2024 quarter-finals.As the Indian team celebrated their hard-fought 4-2 shootout win, Sreejesh's eyes scanned the crowd, searching for his wife, Aneeshya. In a moment of pure love and gratitude, he pointed to the camera, revealing her name proudly written on his hockey stick.This heartfelt gesture captured the hearts of millions on social media, with fans praising Sreejesh's dedication and love for his family. "Emotions," wrote one fan, while another exclaimed, "Congratulations Team India!"Sreejesh's performance on the field was equally remarkable. The veteran goalkeeper made several crucial saves throughout the match, denying Great Britain scoring opportunities and inspiring his teammates. In the penalty shootout, he saved two shots, helping India secure a place in the semifinals.After the match, Sreejesh expressed his gratitude to his team and his wife. "It's a daily job of a goalie," he said. "But today is our day. Even in the shootout, the guys who took shots didn't disappoint.""They scored and that gave me enough confidence," he added.Sreejesh's performance and gesture have become a symbol of the Indian team's resilience and determination. As they prepare for the semifinals, the team will undoubtedly draw inspiration from their goalkeeper's unwavering spirit and love for his family.

Italian Olympic gold medalist Thomas Ceccon's dissatisfaction with the accommodations at the 2024 Paris Olympics has sparked a wider debate about the living conditions for athletes at the Games. A photograph of Ceccon sleeping in a park, shared by Saudi Arabian rower Husein Alireza, has brought the issue to light.Ceccon, who won gold in the men's 100m backstroke, has publicly criticized the living conditions, citing a lack of air conditioning, poor food quality, and inadequate supplies. He emphasized that many athletes were relocating due to these issues, highlighting that it was a widespread problem, not an excuse."There is no air conditioning in the village, it's hot, and the food is bad," Ceccon told The Sun. "Many athletes move for this reason: it's not an alibi or an excuse; it's the reality of what perhaps not everybody knows."The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has faced backlash for the absence of air conditioning and the use of cardboard "anti-sex" beds, which were part of their environmental sustainability efforts. Athletes, including Ceccon, have complained about the heat, noise, and subpar food, which included insufficient quantities of essential items like eggs and chicken and instances of raw meat being served.The British Olympic Association also reported similar food quality issues. "There are not enough certain foods: eggs, chicken, certain carbohydrates," British Olympic Association Chief Andy Anson told The Times of London. "And then there is the food quality, with raw meat being served to athletes."Ceccon's sentiments were echoed by other athletes like Coco Gauff, Ariarne Titmus, and Assia Touati, who also found the accommodations unsuitable. After winning the Olympic gold in the 400m freestyle, Titmus mentioned that better living conditions might have enabled her to break the world record. She criticized the village for not being conducive to high performance."It probably wasn't the time I thought I was capable of, but living in the Olympic Village makes it hard to perform," she said in an interview after the race. "It's definitely not made for high performance, so it's about who can really keep it together in the mind."Organizers defended the accommodations, emphasizing their commitment to sustainability. The recyclable mattresses and cardboard bed frames were chosen to reduce the event's carbon footprint. Before the Games, some delegations, including India, had already expressed concerns about the lack of air conditioning, forcing the Indian government to send 40 portable units for their athletes.

Neeraj Chopra, India's golden boy in athletics, is poised to defend his Olympic title at the Paris Games 2024. The reigning Olympic champion arrived in Paris last month, ready to make his mark on the world stage once again.Chopra is an integral part of the 29-member Indian athletics contingent at the Summer Games. The Indian team will be hoping to add to the nation's medal tally in the 16 athletics events at the Paris Olympics.Athletics events at the Summer Olympics commenced on August 1, with all track and field events taking place at the iconic Stade de France in Paris. Chopra will be joined by Kishore Jena in the men's javelin competition. Jena won a silver medal for India at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year, finishing behind Chopra.Chopra's journey to the Paris Olympics has been marked by remarkable achievements. He won India's first-ever Olympic gold in athletics at the Tokyo Games, followed by the Diamond League title in 2022 and the Asian Games gold medal in 2023.The reigning world champion in javelin throw is set to kickstart his campaign at the Paris Games 2024 this week. Chopra will headline the javelin throw event on Tuesday (August 6), with the qualification round getting underway at 1:50 pm. The Group A action will be followed by Group B at 3:20 pm on the same day.If Chopra advances from the qualification round, he will defend his gold medal in the final. The men's final of the javelin throw is scheduled to begin at 11:55 pm IST on August 8 (Sunday). Chopra and Jena will lead India's charge in the summit clash.Indian fans can watch the live broadcast of the Paris Olympics 2024 on multiple channels of the Sports18 Network. Sports18 1 and Sports18 1 HD are broadcasting the Paris Olympics in English, while Tamil and Telugu options are also available. Sports18 Khel and Sports18 2 are presenting the Summer games in Hindi.The Paris Olympics 2024 is also available for a livestream on the JioCinema app and website. Fans can watch the live stream of multiple events free of cost in India.