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Paris Olympics: France Declares Readiness as Athletes ArriveFrench President Emmanuel Macron has expressed confidence in France's preparedness to host the upcoming Paris Olympics, which will mark the return of the Games to the French capital after nearly a century. Macron visited the Athletes' Village on Monday, four days before the official opening ceremony.The Games will utilize temporary venues constructed in the heart of Paris, including the Athletes' Village in Seine-Saint-Denis, the poorest area in France. Macron emphasized the transformative impact the Olympics will have on the region, promising to return after the Games to witness its legacy.The Athletes' Village, comprising 40 low-rise housing blocks, has been built using innovative construction techniques that prioritize sustainability. However, some Olympic delegations have expressed concerns about the lack of air conditioning and have ordered portable cooling units.International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach also visited the Village, where thousands of athletes and officials are arriving. The complex is expected to house up to 14,500 individuals at the peak of the Games.Meanwhile, France's Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne has welcomed the Israeli delegation to the Games, following a controversial call by a French lawmaker to exclude them due to the conflict in Gaza. Sejourne condemned the statement as "irresponsible and dangerous," assuring the security of the Israeli delegation.In a significant development, Team USA has named basketball superstar LeBron James as their male flagbearer for the opening ceremony. James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, expressed his honor in representing the United States on the global stage.The opening ceremony on Friday will feature a spectacular display of 6,000-7,000 athletes sailing down the Seine River on barges and boats, passing by iconic landmarks such as Notre-Dame Cathedral.However, Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar has withdrawn from the Games due to extreme fatigue after winning his third Tour de France title.

Former Indian hockey captain and Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey has expressed high expectations for the team's performance at the upcoming Paris Olympics. He believes that if star drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh is in top form, India has a strong chance of improving upon their bronze medal finish at the Tokyo Olympics.Tirkey praised the team's young players and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, but emphasized the crucial role of drag-flickers in determining the team's success. "If our drag-flickers are on song, nothing can stop us," he said.The Indian team will be supported by renowned mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton, who played a key role in India's 2011 Cricket World Cup victory. Tirkey highlighted the importance of mental strength in a high-pressure event like the Olympics."Conceding goals in the last minute has troubled us in the past, but we've improved in this area," he said. "Mental training is crucial, and I'm confident that our support staff will help the team perform at their best in Paris."Tirkey also stressed the need for a solid defense, particularly in defending short corners. He praised Amit Rohidas's performance in this area at the Tokyo Olympics.With experienced head coach Craig Fulton at the helm, Tirkey believes India has the potential to challenge for a medal of a different color in Paris. "The team has gained a lot of confidence under his coaching," he said. "Every player knows that we can change the color of the medal this time."India faces a tough challenge in their pool, which includes top teams like Australia, Belgium, and Argentina. However, Tirkey is confident that the team can overcome these obstacles. "We have to do our duties in our specific roles on that given day," he said. "The team must be fit, and we are one of the fittest teams."India will begin its campaign on July 27 against New Zealand, followed by matches against Argentina, Ireland, Belgium, and Australia.

Indian Contingent Arrives at Paris Olympics VillageA total of 49 Indian athletes have arrived at the Games Village in Paris, marking the beginning of India's participation in the upcoming Olympics. The contingent includes the entire archery, table tennis, and hockey teams.The table tennis team, consisting of eight members, and the 19-member Indian men's hockey team have already reached the French capital. Additionally, 10 out of the 21 qualified shooters have arrived in Chateauroux. The archery team, comprising six members, along with two tennis players, a shuttler, a rower, and two swimmers, have also made their way to Paris.India will be represented by a total of 117 athletes at the Paris Olympics, including 70 men and 47 women. They will compete in 69 events across 95 medal categories. The contingent will also include a 140-strong support staff, bringing the total number of members to 257.This year's contingent is larger than the 119-member team that represented India at the Tokyo Olympics. In Tokyo, India achieved its best-ever performance, winning seven medals, including the historic gold medal in javelin throw by Neeraj Chopra. Chopra will be returning to Paris to defend his title.The Indian contingent is expected to continue its strong performance in Paris, with medal hopes in archery, shooting, wrestling, and badminton. The Olympics will commence on July 26th, and the Indian athletes are determined to make their mark on the global stage.

Indian table tennis star Manika Batra, wiser after her maiden Olympics appearance in Tokyo, is determined to take a measured approach in the upcoming Paris Games. Focused on taking one match at a time, she believes a medal will not be her primary concern in the initial rounds.Batra, who played a pivotal role in the women's team qualifying for Paris, has learned valuable lessons from her Tokyo experience. "I've learned from my mistakes and my mindset has changed," she said. "I'm calmer and more confident now."Her training regimen has emphasized stamina and agility, with the ultimate goal of challenging for a medal. However, she emphasizes the importance of a gradual approach. "I'll go round by round and not think of a medal too early," she said. "I'll give my best for my country."Batra's success in the WTT Saudi Smash, where she defeated world-class opponents, has boosted her confidence. She credits the growth of women's table tennis in India to platforms like Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), which provide young players with invaluable exposure."UTT has helped us practice and play matches against foreign players," Batra said. "We get good match practice."India will compete in both individual and team events in Paris. After the Olympics, Batra and other top Indian paddlers will join international stars in the UTT 2024, scheduled for August 22 to September 7 in Chennai.

Sift Kaur Samra, a rising star in Indian shooting, is preparing for the upcoming Paris Olympics with a unique blend of determination and nonchalance. Her journey to the Olympic stage has been guided by coach Deepali Deshpande, who has nurtured her talent while respecting her individuality.Samra's shooting career began with a modest goal of winning a national medal. However, her exceptional talent and unwavering focus propelled her to the world stage. In 2022, she shattered the women's 50m rifle three positions world record score at the Asian Games, securing an individual gold medal.Deshpande, a former Olympian herself, recognized Samra's potential early on. Despite her busy schedule, she took Samra under her wing after the Tokyo Olympics. Their relationship is built on mutual respect and a shared understanding of Samra's unique approach to shooting.Samra's free-spirited nature and ability to switch between focus and relaxation have been key to her success. She balances her shooting with other interests, including music and studies. Deshpande encourages this balance, believing it reduces unnecessary pressure and allows Samra to approach shooting with a clear mind.The transition from junior to senior shooting can be challenging, but Samra has navigated it seamlessly. Her consistency as a junior has laid the foundation for her success at the senior level. Deshpande has worked tirelessly to refine Samra's technique, particularly her kneeling position.Samra's determination and open-mindedness have made her a joy to coach. She is always willing to listen to suggestions and experiment with new ideas. However, she also has a stubborn streak and is not afraid to voice her opinions.Despite her success, Samra remains grounded. She credits her close friends for providing support during difficult times. Deshpande respects this boundary and only intervenes when Samra specifically requests her assistance.As Samra prepares for her Olympic debut, she is determined to approach it with the same carefree attitude that has served her well so far. She aims to enjoy the experience and shoot with a smile, just as she did at the World University Games and Asian Games.

Shamsher Singh's Olympic journey has been a testament to his unwavering determination and the belief of his coaches. From being a relatively unknown player to a key member of India's bronze-winning team in Tokyo, Shamsher has come a long way.In 2021, Graham Reid's decision to include Shamsher in the Olympic squad raised eyebrows. However, Reid's faith in the young forward proved to be well-founded as Shamsher played a crucial role in India's historic medal win.Now, with 95 caps to his name, Shamsher is a seasoned campaigner. He has matured into a lynchpin of the team and is aware of the importance of his role in India's quest for a medal in Paris."I have learnt a lot from our seniors in the last three years," Shamsher said. "I am confident of performing well even this time."Shamsher's rapid pace and peripheral vision were the qualities that initially caught the attention of the selectors. However, he has since developed new skills, including his ability to build the attack and link the midfield and frontline.Under Craig Fulton, Shamsher's role has evolved from an out-and-out forward to an attacking midfielder. This change has allowed him to provide more assists and earn multiple penalty corners."My ability to control passes from defense to the forward line, making that connection has worked," Shamsher said. "Also, my ability to receive and control aerial balls from the back and push it forward are probably my plus points which have handed me the role of the linkman."Fulton's 'defend to win' strategy has also seen Shamsher take on a more defensive role. He now plays a key role in poaching the ball during opposition attacks and counterattacking with the entire unit pressing."My role while defending, which wasn't much earlier, has increased," Shamsher said. "That is where I come in, where I have to assist in scoring a goal or create chances, goal shots and PCs."Shamsher's second Olympic journey will begin on July 27 when India face New Zealand. The attacking midfielder will be eager to prove his worth once again and help India achieve its medal aspirations in Paris.

Neeraj Chopra, India's reigning Olympic javelin throw champion, is in the final stages of his preparations for the Paris Games, and his coach, Klaus Bartonietz, has dismissed concerns about his fitness.Chopra has been troubled by an adductor niggle in recent months, but Bartonietz insists that the issue is now resolved. "Everything is according to plan. At the moment, no issue with that (adductor niggle), it's fine, it looks good, hoping to remain like that till the Olympics," Bartonietz told PTI.The 26-year-old Chopra has had a mixed season in terms of fitness, withdrawing from the Ostrava Golden Spike in May as a precautionary measure. However, he made a strong comeback by winning gold at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland in June with a throw of 85.97m.Chopra opted out of the Paris Diamond League on July 7, but Bartonietz said that the event was never a part of his competition calendar this year.With just two weeks to go until the Olympic qualification round, Chopra is intensifying his training. "It's just over two weeks left in the Olympics, so the intensity of training is high. He is having full throwing sessions," Bartonietz said.Chopra's training routine includes sprinting, jumping, throwing, and weightlifting sessions. Bartonietz said that the approach is similar to the one adopted before the Tokyo Olympics.Chopra has competed in only three events ahead of the Paris Games, compared to five before Tokyo. Bartonietz does not see this as a disadvantage, saying that the number of competitions is not a determining factor."You can compete in many events or not, it's tough to say what is enough (number of events). It depends on the situation," Bartonietz said.Bartonietz also addressed Chopra's decision to skip the Paris Diamond League, saying that there were "some minor issues" that made it not worth the risk.While Bartonietz is confident in Chopra's abilities, he is cautious about predicting his chances of a medal. "Olympics is a high-stakes and high-pressure situation and anything can happen. Guessing a medal on the basis of statistics is difficult," he said.Bartonietz identified Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic, Julian Weber of Germany, Anderson Peters of Grenada, and Oliver Helander of Finland as potential medal contenders.The Olympic Stadium in Paris will have purple-colored Mondo tracks, which are believed to provide faster timings. Bartonietz said that this could benefit Chopra, but it is ultimately a matter of using the speed effectively.

The upcoming Paris Olympics, a highly anticipated sporting event, has cast a shadow over France's financial expectations. Despite the country's rich sporting heritage and status as a popular tourist destination, the Olympics have failed to generate the anticipated surge in tourism.Hosting the Olympics has historically been a lucrative endeavor for host nations, boosting tourism and providing a financial windfall. However, France is facing a different reality. The country has invested heavily in infrastructure and security for the event, but the return on investment has been disappointing.According to a report in the Telegraph, Paris 2024 is becoming a financial burden for France. Tourism has not increased significantly, and hotel bookings, flights, and tourist advisors are reporting a decline. Air France is expected to lose €180 million in the current quarter due to reduced travel to France during the Olympics.International travelers are avoiding France during the Olympics, fearing overcrowding and inflated prices. This is a significant blow to the country's tourism industry, which has always been a major economic driver.President Emmanuel Macron's decision to host the Olympics in Paris required a massive investment of €7.5 billion. However, the expected financial benefits have not materialized. Hotel bookings are dismal, and occupancy rates are below the levels seen in July 2023. Hotel prices are also falling, indicating a lack of demand.If the current trend continues, France faces a financial crisis despite hosting one of the world's largest sporting events. The country's hopes of an economic boost from the Olympics have been dashed, leaving it with a significant financial burden.

Renowned South Korean archery coach Baek Woong Ki has expressed his disappointment and frustration after being denied accreditation for the Paris Olympics. The coach, who has guided the Indian archery team for over a year, feels "humiliated and insulted" by the decision.Woong Ki, who played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian team, was not included in the list of six coaching staff submitted by the Archery Association of India (AAI) to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Instead, two Indian coaches, Sonam T Shering Bhutia and Purnima Mahato, were given accreditation to stay in the Games Village.The Korean coach, who guided South Korea to two gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics, believes that his exclusion from the Olympic Games archery coach is a "big mistake" by the IOA. He has expressed his desire to end his tenure as head coach of the Indian team after the Paris Olympics."I do not want to continue anymore. I just want to go back to South Korea," Woong Ki told HT from Paris. "I have been preparing with the goal of helping India win a medal for the first time at the Paris Olympics. However, I believe that appointing a foreign coach but excluding (me) from the Olympic Games archery coach is a big mistake by the IOA and a decision that does not follow the original plan and goals."Woong Ki's absence is a significant blow to the Indian archery team, which has qualified for all five events at the Olympics. The team has been training hard under Woong Ki's guidance and has shown promising results, including winning silver medals in the men's and women's team events at the Asian Games.The AAI has reached out to IOA officials to find a solution, but no resolution has been found. The IOA has cleared 68 coaches and 50 support staff for 117 athletes, but the large contingent has made it difficult to accommodate all the coaches and support staff.The Indian archery team will begin its Olympic campaign on July 2 with the ranking rounds for all five events. The team will be hoping to make history and win India's first-ever archery medal at the Olympics.