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Ukrainian high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh, the world record holder, has captured Olympic gold at the Stade de France with her unique habit of lying under a green bedroll between jumps. This intriguing method has sparked curiosity and admiration worldwide.Mahuchikh's unusual routine, which involves counting numbers or watching clouds while lying down, has become a signature part of her preparation. She began this practice in 2018 after winning the Youth Olympic Games. "I feel comfortable when I lay and sometimes I can watch the clouds," she explained to TIME Magazine. "It's like, relax, [and] not think about that I'm at [the] stadium."Her coach, Serhii Stepanov, believes the bedroll helps prevent blood from pooling in her legs. Mahuchikh always carries a yoga mat, sleeping bag, and spare socks to competitions, or wears a hoodie. She recommends this approach for comfort in various weather conditions."It's really difficult [to wear spikes]," she said in a press conference. "But I advise all girls to have this mat and blanket because it's really comfortable to lay on in different weather. When it's raining, it's OK. It never gets hot because it's a camping blanket."Beyond her unique relaxation technique, Mahuchikh's victory holds deep emotional significance. She fled Ukraine due to the ongoing Russian invasion, which has claimed the lives of nearly 500 Ukrainian athletes. "Almost 500 sportsmen have died in this war," she said. "They will never compete. They will never celebrate. They will never fill this atmosphere. I'm happy with the gold medal. It's really for all of them."Australia's Nicola Olyslagers won the silver medal in the high jump, while Eleanor Patterson of Australia and Ukraine's Iryna Gerashchenko shared the bronze.Mahuchikh's gold medal is a testament to her resilience, determination, and the power of finding comfort in unconventional ways. Her unique bedroll routine has not only helped her achieve Olympic glory but has also inspired countless others to embrace their own unique paths to success.

Ace Indian shooter Manu Bhaker has been bestowed the honor of being India's flag bearer at the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024. The 22-year-old markswoman etched her name in Indian sporting history by securing two bronze medals in Paris.Bhaker's remarkable journey began with a bronze in the individual 10m air pistol event, making her the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal. She broke India's 12-year medal drought in shooting, following Vijay Kumar and Gagan Narang's podium finishes in London 2012.Not content with one medal, Bhaker teamed up with Sarabjot Singh to clinch another bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. This achievement made her the first Indian woman to win multiple medals at a single Olympic Games."Manu has been chosen to be the flag bearer. She has done exceptionally well and deserves the honor," an IOA official confirmed to PTI.Bhaker expressed her gratitude for the recognition, stating, "There are many in the contingent who are more deserving, but it will be a real honor if I am asked to."The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has yet to finalize the male flag bearer, with the decision expected in the coming days.Besides Bhaker's two medals, Swapnil Kushale added a third bronze for India in the men's 50m Rifle Three Positions. Ace shuttler Lakshya Sen will compete for bronze on Monday, while the Indian men's hockey team advanced to the semi-finals after defeating Great Britain on penalties.Reigning Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra will commence his javelin throw campaign on August 6.In the opening ceremony, star shuttler PV Sindhu and veteran table tennis player Sharath Kamal led the Indian contingent as flag bearers in the Parade of Nations.

In the heart of Paris, amidst the bustling Parc de la Villette, a Gujarati family from Jamnagar, India, found solace and a taste of home at India House. Saifuddin Loukmanjee, 52, his wife Lamya, and their daughters Sarah, 15, and Anisha, 10, eagerly awaited their order of mini sambar idlis and vada pav.Despite the relentless rain, the family exuded a sense of contentment as they stood patiently in line. Their body language spoke volumes of the comfort they shared. Loukmanjee, who arrived in Paris via Madagascar 35 years ago, had discovered India House through his mother-in-law's WhatsApp group."The food is not expensive and it tastes great," Loukmanjee exclaimed. "I am very excited to try more dishes on the menu."Sarah and Anisha, born and raised in Paris, were equally enthusiastic about the upcoming 2024 Olympics. They spoke French and Gujarati fluently, with a smattering of English. Their excitement for the Games was palpable, and they expressed their hopes for France to emerge victorious.Lamya, while eagerly anticipating the sporting spectacle, was equally delighted by the cultural experiences and events surrounding the Olympics. The Bollywood music playing in the background had her tapping her feet with joy.As the family savored their authentic Indian cuisine, they reflected on the significance of India House. It was a place where they could connect with their heritage and share their love of food and culture with others.The Loukmanjee family's experience at India House is a testament to the power of food and sports to bring people together. It is a reminder that even in a foreign land, the bonds of family and the spirit of community can be found in the most unexpected places.

Manu Bhaker's remarkable performance at the Paris Olympics 2024 has propelled her to stardom in India, making her the first Indian female shooter to secure an Olympic medal. Behind her success lies the invaluable guidance of Jaspal Rana, a legendary shooter himself.Rana's presence at the Paris Games, where Manu clinched two bronze medals, was a testament to his profound influence on her career. While Rana modestly downplays his role, he acknowledges the contributions of numerous individuals and organizations, including the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the government, and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).Rana emphasizes that Manu's success stems not only from technical proficiency but also from her mental fortitude. He focuses on refining her technique, eliminating minor errors that can have significant consequences in high-stakes competitions.Beyond shooting techniques, Rana instills in Manu the principles of the Bhagavad Gita, which he believes have played a crucial role in her mental resilience. He compares her to Arjuna, the warrior in the epic, who faced challenges on the battlefield with unwavering determination.Rana recognizes the sacrifices that Manu has made to achieve her success, including the loss of personal freedom and the constant scrutiny of the public eye. He encourages her to maintain a social life and avoid burnout, understanding that a balanced approach is essential for sustained excellence.Rana's guidance has extended beyond the shooting range, as he has advised Manu on the importance of managing her emotions and dealing with the pressures of fame. He believes that her ability to compartmentalize her personal and professional lives has been instrumental in her success.As Manu Bhaker continues to inspire young shooters across India, Jaspal Rana's role as her mentor and guide remains a testament to the power of mentorship and the transformative impact it can have on an athlete's career.

Manu Bhaker, the 22-year-old shooting prodigy, may not have returned from the Paris Olympics 2024 with a third medal, but she etched her name in history as India's first dual medal winner at a single edition of the Games.After securing two bronze medals in the 10m air pistol and mixed team events, Bhaker was poised to complete a hat-trick in the women's 25m air pistol. However, she narrowly missed out on the podium, finishing fourth in the final.Despite the disappointment, Bhaker's performance was met with an outpouring of support from the Indian public. She had previously urged them not to be disheartened if she failed to win a third medal, and her wish was granted."I got really nervous in the last shot. I was trying to keep calm, but it was not enough. Fourth place is not a very good place," Bhaker said after the event.Despite the setback, Bhaker remained optimistic. "Already looking forward to the next one," she declared.During her time in Paris, Bhaker achieved several historic firsts for India. She opened the country's medal account with her bronze in the 10m air pistol, becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting in 12 years.Her second bronze, in the mixed team event, further cemented her status as a rising star. In just 72 hours, Bhaker had become a national icon.With her exceptional talent and unwavering determination, Bhaker represents a bright future for Indian shooting. She expressed gratitude to all those who supported her journey, including the Ministry of Sports, SAI, Prime Minister Modi, her coach, and her family."I hope we come up with a better result next time," Bhaker said, reflecting on her experience in Paris.

India's Medal Hopes Soar at Paris Olympics 2024India's contingent at the Paris Olympics 2024 is poised to make history, with a packed schedule of events and medal prospects. The nation's hopes rest on the shoulders of its athletes, who will compete in archery, boxing, golf, sailing, and shooting.ArcheryDeepika Kumari and Bhajan Kaur will carry India's archery aspirations in the women's individual event. They will face stiff competition in the Round of 16, but their recent form suggests they have the potential to reach the medal rounds.BoxingNishant Dev will be India's lone representative in boxing, competing in the men's 71kg quarterfinal. A victory would secure him a place in the semifinals and put him within striking distance of a medal.GolfShubhankar Sharma and Gaganjeet Bhullar will represent India in the men's individual strokeplay event. They will be aiming to make the cut and challenge for a podium finish.SailingVishnu Sarvanan and Nethra Kumanan will compete in the men's and women's Dinghy events, respectively. They will be hoping to qualify for the medal races and secure a place on the podium.ShootingManu Bhaker, India's two-time medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, will be the star attraction in the women's 25m pistol final. She will be aiming to become the first Indian athlete to win three medals in a single edition of the Olympics. Anantjeet Singh Naruka will also compete in the skeet men's qualification, while Maheshwari Chauhan and Raiza Dhillon will participate in the skeet women's qualification.

Swapnil Kusale etched his name in Indian sporting history by securing a historic bronze medal in shooting at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Despite the pressure of the grand stage, Kusale displayed nerves of steel and staged a remarkable comeback to finish on the podium. His aggregate score of 451.4 in the eight-shooter final propelled India to 42nd place in the medal standings.India's medal hopes took a hit on Day 7 as badminton stars PV Sindhu, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, and Chirag Shetty bowed out of the competition. Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, was defeated by China's He Bingjiao in the women's singles pre-quarterfinals. Satwik and Chirag's Olympic dream also ended in disappointment after a three-game loss in the men's doubles quarterfinals.However, India's medal tally could receive a boost on Friday as Manu Bhaker continues her impressive run in the women's 25m pistol qualification alongside Esha Singh. Bhaker, a two-time bronze medalist at the Paris Games, is aiming for a medal hat-trick.Lakshya Sen kept India's badminton hopes alive by advancing to the quarterfinals after defeating compatriot HS Prannoy in an all-Indian clash. Sen, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, will face 12th seed Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei in the next round.Other Indian athletes in action on Day 7 include Shubhankar Sharma and Ganganjeet Bhullar in golf, Anantjeet Singh Naruka in men's skeet qualification, and Ankita Dhyani, Parul Chaudhary, and Tajinderpal Singh Toor in athletics.India's men's hockey team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, will face Australia in their final pool match after losing 1-2 to defending champions Belgium.

India's Medal Hopes Soar at Paris Olympics 2024: Day 6 PreviewDay 6 of the Paris Olympics 2024 promises to be a thrilling one for India, with several medal contenders taking to the field. Badminton stars PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and the men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will be in action.In shooting, Swapnil Kusale will aim to secure India's third medal in the 50m rifle 3-positions final. Sift Kaur Samra and Anjum Moudgil will also compete in the women's 50m rifle three positions qualification.Boxer Nikhat Zareen will face China's Yu Wu in the pre-quarterfinals of women's flyweight boxing. The Indian hockey team will face a tough challenge against Belgium in a men's Pool B match.Archery will see Pravin Jadhav compete in the men's individual 1/32 eliminations. In athletics, Akshdeep, Vikash, and Paramjeet Singh will participate in the men's 20km race walk final, while Priyanka Goswami will compete in the women's 20m race walk final.Golfers Gaganjeet Bhullar and Shubhankar Sharma will aim for glory in the men's individual finals. Vishnu Saravanan will represent India in the men's dinghy race, while Nethra Kumanan will compete in the women's dinghy race.In table tennis, India's women's singles players will compete in the quarterfinals.

Neeraj Chopra, India's golden boy in athletics, has a dedicated supporter who has embarked on an extraordinary journey to witness his triumph at the Paris Olympics 2024. Fayis Asraf Ali, a cyclist from Kerala, has pedaled over 22,000 kilometers across 30 countries in the past two years to reach Paris for the Summer Games.Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion in javelin throw, will lead a 29-member Indian athletics contingent at the Paris Games. The contingent will compete in 16 medal events, with the track and field events taking place at the iconic Stade de France.Chopra's journey to Paris has been marked by consistent success. After his historic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, he won the Diamond League title in 2022 and the Asian Games gold medal in 2023. He arrives in Paris as the reigning world champion in javelin throw.Joining Chopra in the men's javelin competition will be Kishore Jena, who won silver at the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023. Other notable members of the Indian athletics contingent include Muhammed Anas, who will make his third Olympic appearance, and steeplechaser Parul Chaudhary, who will make her Olympic debut.The Indian athletics squad for the Paris 2024 Olympics includes:Men:* Avinash Sable (3000m steeplechase)* Neeraj Chopra (javelin throw)* Kishore Jena (javelin throw)* Tajinderpal Singh Toor (shot put)* Praveen Chithravel (triple jump)* Abdulla Aboobacker (triple jump)* Sarvesh Kushare (high jump)* Akshdeep Singh (20km race walk)* Vikash Singh (20km race walk)* Paramjeet Singh Bisht (20km race walk)* Muhammed Anas (4x400m relay)* Muhammed Ajmal (4x400m relay)* Amoj Jacob (4x400m relay)* Santhosh Kumar Tamilarasan (4x400m relay)* Rajesh Ramesh (4x400m relay)* Mijo Chacko Kurian (4x400m relay)* Suraj Panwar (race walk mixed marathon)* Jeswin Aldrin (long jump)Women:* Kiran Pahal (400m)* Parul Chaudhary (3000m steeplechase and 5,000m)* Jyothi Yarraji (100m hurdles)* Annu Rani (javelin throw)* Jyothika Sri Dandi (4x400m relay)* Subha Venkatesan (4x400m relay)* Vithya Ramraj (4x400m relay)* MR Poovamma (4x400m relay)* Prachi (4x400m relay)* Priyanka Goswami (20km race walk and race walk mixed marathon)* Ankita Dhyani (5000m)