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Femke Bol's astonishing anchor leg propelled the Dutch quartet to a historic mixed 4x400m relay gold at the Paris Olympics, etching their names in the annals of track and field. The Dutch team, comprising Eugene Omalla, Lieke Klaver, Isaya Klein Ikkink, and the indomitable Bol, shattered the European record with a blistering time of 3min 07.43sec.Bol's final lap was a masterclass in speed and determination. Clocking a stunning 47.93sec, she erased the bitter memory of her fall at last year's world championships in Budapest, where she handed the gold to the United States."I hoped to run that fast some time, but in the relay, you never look too much at split times," said Bol. "It's more about putting it together as a team and technically racing it well. I just went for it. We just wanted a medal this time, we didn't think it would be gold, just a medal. Well, we got gold and are the Olympic champions. It is absolutely crazy for a small country like ours."The US quartet, led by Vernon Norwood, Shamier Little, Bryce Deadmon, and Kaylyn Brown, had dominated the race until Bol's electrifying surge. The near-capacity Stade de France erupted in a frenzy as Bol overtook Brown just 10 meters from the finish line, securing a famous victory for the Netherlands.Bol's triumph is a testament to her resilience and unwavering determination. Having suffered a dramatic fall in Budapest, she channeled her anger and frustration into an unforgettable performance in Paris. "Just keep going, keep going," she said of her thoughts in the final 100 meters. "And my general anger from Budapest! That and my teammates cheering me. And the atmosphere in this stadium is absolutely incredible. It's crazy. So everything together."Bol's victory keeps her bid for three Olympic golds on track. She will compete in the 400m hurdles on Sunday and the women's 4x400m relay later in the week. Her exceptional talent and unwavering spirit make her a formidable force in the world of athletics.

India's Sailing Hopes Dim as Nethra Kumanan and Vishnu Saravanan Struggle in Paris Olympics Opening SeriesIndia's Olympic sailing campaign got off to a disappointing start in Marseille, France, as Nethra Kumanan and Vishnu Saravanan faced setbacks in the women's and men's dinghy sailing events, respectively.Nethra Kumanan, who finished 11th after the first three races on Friday, endured a challenging Saturday, slipping to 24th place after Race 6. The 26-year-old struggled to maintain consistency, finishing 19th in Race 4, 25th in Race 5, and 24th in Race 6.Meanwhile, Vishnu Saravanan, ranked 22nd after Race 4 on Friday, dropped a spot to 23rd after Race 6 on Saturday. The 25-year-old Indian remained in 23rd place after Race 5, failing to make any significant progress.With four more races remaining in the opening series, both Kumanan and Saravanan face an uphill battle to qualify for the medal race. The top 10 boats from the opening series will advance to the medal race on Tuesday, where the top three boats will be determined based on the overall score from the opening series and the final.India's hopes of a strong showing in sailing at the Paris Olympics now rest on the shoulders of Kumanan and Saravanan improving their performances in the remaining races. They will need to find their rhythm and consistency to secure a spot in the medal race and challenge for a podium finish.

Nikhat Zareen's Olympic dream was shattered in the pre-quarterfinals of the Paris Games, leaving her devastated and vowing to return with renewed determination. The Indian boxing star, who was a strong medal contender, suffered a unanimous decision loss to top seed and reigning Asian Games champion Wu Yu of China in the 50kg women's boxing competition."The Olympic dream I've cherished for so long didn't unfold as I had hoped," Zareen wrote in a heartfelt social media post. "After countless hours of training, sacrifices, and unwavering determination, this moment slipped through my fingers."Zareen's defeat was a crushing blow, as she had been the first of six Indian boxers to qualify for the Paris Olympics. She had fought through a year of injury, battled to reclaim her spot, and overcome countless obstacles to represent her country on the global stage."Winning an Olympic medal was my greatest dream, and I fought with everything I had to get here," Zareen said. "The Paris 2024 journey was filled with challenges, but I never gave up."Despite her disappointment, Zareen remains determined to achieve her Olympic dream. "This isn't the end," she vowed. "I'll return home to recover and clear my mind. This dream is still alive, and I will continue to chase it with renewed passion."Zareen's resilience and determination are a testament to her unwavering spirit. She has promised to come back stronger and make her country proud.

India's men's hockey team, buoyed by their historic victory over Australia in their final pool match, will face Great Britain in the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics on Sunday. The Indians, who finished second in Pool B behind Belgium, will be looking to continue their momentum and secure a berth in the semifinals.India's performance against Australia was a testament to their growing confidence and tactical prowess. The midfield, led by Manpreet Singh and Hardik Singh, controlled the tempo of the match with their relentless attacking play. The forwardline, spearheaded by Gurjant Singh and Sukhjeet Singh, capitalized on the opportunities created by the midfield, with Abhishek scoring a superb field goal to give India the lead.Skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who has been in scintillating form throughout the tournament, added two more goals to his tally, taking his total to six. The backline, anchored by Amit Rohidas and Jarmanpreet Singh, defended stoutly, while veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh made several crucial saves.The transition of the ball from defense to midfield to forwardline was a key factor in India's success against Australia. The Indians used aerial passes to great effect, a tactic that proved highly effective against the Kookaburras.India's chief coach, Craig Fulton, has instilled a sense of self-belief in his team, who are now just two wins away from back-to-back Olympic medals. "It was an important match. We needed a match like this before the quarterfinals. From the start we put them under pressure. It's a proud moment to beat Australia," said Harmanpreet after the Australia match.In other quarterfinals, Belgium will take on Spain, Australia will face Netherlands, and Germany will face Argentina. India will be hoping to emulate their bronze medal performance from the Tokyo Olympics and make history by reaching the semifinals.

The Indian shooting contingent at the ongoing Paris Olympics has made history, surpassing expectations with an unprecedented three Bronze medals. This remarkable achievement marks the best-ever performance by Indian shooters at the Games.Manu Bhaker, the star of the contingent, secured a historic medal in the women's 10m air pistol event, becoming the first Indian woman to win a shooting medal at the Olympics. She then teamed up with Sarabjot Singh to win another Bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed-team event, marking India's first-ever medal in team shooting.Swapnil Kusale's stunning bronze medal-winning performance in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions event further added to India's medal tally. His victory was particularly emotional for former Indian shooter and Olympic medalist Gagan Narang, who recalled competing with Kusale in 2017."It is truly emotional to see him reaching this level and achieving his dream of winning an Olympic medal for India, and that too, on the same day when I had won mine in 2012 in London. It almost feels like destiny," said Narang.Arjun Babuta also narrowly missed out on a medal in the men's 10m air rifle event, finishing fourth. Narang expressed his pride in Babuta's performance, calling it "perhaps the greatest show by Indian shooters in the history of the Games."India's previous best performance in shooting came at the 2012 London Olympics, where Vijay Kumar won a silver in the men's 25m rapid-fire pistol event and Narang won a bronze in the men's 10m air rifle event.The contingent's success in Paris is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the shooters and their coaches. It is also a source of pride for India, showcasing the country's growing prowess in the sport.

Lieutenant Colonel Kabilan Sai Ashok, a 42-year-old Indian Army officer, has made history by becoming the youngest Indian referee at the upcoming Paris Olympics. Ashok's journey to this prestigious role is a testament to his unwavering commitment, exceptional skills, and the transformative power of the Indian Army.Ashok's military career began as a soldier, but his determination and talent propelled him to the officer rank. He served with distinction in the elite 9 Para (Special Forces) unit, where he participated in numerous counterterror missions in Jammu and Kashmir. His involvement in the 2016 surgical strikes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir further solidified his reputation as a combat-hardened warrior.In a remarkable transition, Ashok left the Special Forces to join the Army's Physical Training Corps (APTC). His passion for boxing, honed during his time as an under-19 national champion, led him to become a highly respected referee and judge. Ashok's expertise earned him the distinction of being the only Indian referee to be fast-tracked from 2-star to the highest 3-star status in International Boxing Association (IBA) competitions.Ashok's selection as a referee for the Paris Olympics is a testament to his exceptional abilities and the Indian Army's commitment to excellence. He is one of the few Indians to have served as referees in Olympic history, and his appointment is a source of pride for the nation.Beyond his Olympic role, Ashok holds the presidency of the boxing committee of the International Military Sports Council. He also serves as a boxing administrator at the Army Sports Institute in Pune, where he mentors aspiring Olympians.Ashok's uniform proudly displays the para wings and the Balidan (sacrifice) badge, symbols of his service in the Special Forces and his unwavering dedication to his country. His journey from combat-hardened soldier to Olympic referee is an inspiration to all who aspire to achieve greatness through perseverance and passion.

Fifteen years ago, Malay Desai, a college student, never imagined himself capturing the iconic moments of Rafael Nadal's potential last match at Roland Garros. Today, as a 38-year-old Mumbai-based content creator, he finds himself at the heart of the Paris Olympics, leading a team of five to produce captivating content for the official Olympic channels and social media.Desai's journey into the sports content industry was serendipitous. With a keen eye for storytelling and a passion for sports, he stumbled upon an opportunity to create content for the Olympics. Since then, he has been preparing diligently for this moment, working tirelessly since January to ensure the delivery of exceptional content.As part of his role, Desai has witnessed the electrifying atmosphere of the hockey matches, the precision and power of boxing, and the finesse of badminton. He has also had the privilege of capturing the historic moment when Nadal and his doubles partner Carlos Alcaraz lost their match."I was so close to the hockey action that volunteers warned us about the potential danger of flying balls," Desai recalls. "It was an exhilarating experience, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to witness these incredible events firsthand."Desai's team is responsible for creating reels and videos that showcase the highlights of the Olympics, capturing the emotions, triumphs, and challenges of the athletes. Their content is tailored specifically for Indian audiences, providing them with an immersive and engaging experience.Beyond content creation, Desai also produces a daily show, where he shares his insights and analysis of the Games. He has the unique responsibility of selecting the content that makes it to the official Olympics feed and social media handles in India."It's an honor to be able to share these moments with the Indian audience," Desai says. "We want to bring the spirit of the Olympics to every corner of our country."After the Games conclude, Desai plans to take a well-deserved break with his family, exploring the cultural landmarks of Paris. He hopes to visit the Centre Pompidou and stroll through the charming La Marais neighborhood.

Martha Stewart's 83rd birthday celebration at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games took an unexpected turn when she was surprised by two unlikely guests: Snoop Dogg and Cookie Monster. The pair hijacked Martha's interview with Hollywood Access, bringing with them a whimsical cone-shaped cake made of multi-coloured macarons."Oh, Cookie Monster, you're so sweet," Martha exclaimed, picking out a macaron for herself. The trio then proceeded to groove to Snoop's hit song "Drop It Like It's Hot."The friendship between Snoop and Martha dates back to 2008, when Snoop joined the chef on her iconic The Martha Stewart Show to make mashed potatoes. Since then, they have collaborated on numerous projects, including the 2015 Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber and the celebrity cooking show Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party.In a humorous NBC video, Martha rated Snoop's Olympic outfits, from his gold suit to his Ralph Lauren jacket. Snoop has expressed his admiration for Martha, calling her his "homegirl" and acknowledging their "special bond."Snoop and Cookie Monster are part of the NBC team covering the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, along with guest Martha. "It's been so much fun in Paris. This has been the most exciting Olympics," Martha said about the Games.The surprise visit by Snoop and Cookie Monster added a touch of whimsy and fun to Martha's birthday celebration, showcasing the enduring friendship between the unlikely duo.

The United States shattered the world record in the heats of the mixed 4x400m relay at the Paris Olympics on Friday, setting a blistering pace that sent shockwaves through the competition. The quartet of Vernon Norwood, Shamier Little, Bryce Deadmon, and Kaylyn Brown clocked an astonishing 3min 07.41sec, obliterating the previous best of 3:08.80 set by the US at the World Championships in Budapest last year.Vernon Norwood, the lead-off runner, emphasized the importance of executing flawless hand-offs. "We wanted to come out here and execute good hand-offs," Norwood said. "We set the tone for the rest of the United States with that world record."Shamier Little, the second leg, echoed Norwood's sentiments. "We have a really good group of guys and gals," Little said. "I'm just really excited, first of all for our record, and that's only in the prelim, so it's only up from here."Bryce Deadmon, the third leg, described the electrifying atmosphere at the Stade de France, where a sell-out crowd of 69,000 cheered them on. "It was completely different compared to Tokyo in 2021 just for the simple fact that we have fans out here," Deadmon said. "I was running down the curve and I was like, 'Ah damn, it's kind of loud in here.' It's a great experience. I'm excited to see what the rest of the Games are going to bring."Kaylyn Brown, the anchor leg, brought the baton home in record-breaking fashion. "It was an amazing feeling," Brown said. "I knew I had to give it my all for the team, and I'm so proud of what we accomplished today."The US team's world record performance not only set a new benchmark but also inspired other nations to push their limits. France, Belgium, and Jamaica all set national records in the same heat, finishing in second, third, and fourth places, respectively. Britain won the second heat in another national record time of 3:10.61, ahead of the Netherlands and Italy.The mixed relay, which made its Olympic debut in Tokyo, has quickly become a fan favorite. Poland won gold in Tokyo, followed by the Dominican Republic and the US. The final of the mixed 4x400m relay at the Paris Olympics is scheduled for Saturday at 1855 GMT.