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The 2024 Paris Olympics, scheduled from July 26 to August 11, promises to be a spectacle like no other. For the first time in Olympic history, the opening ceremony will not take place in a stadium but will instead embark on a captivating journey along the Seine River.The ceremony will commence at the Pont d'Austerlitz bridge, where boats carrying over 200 delegations of athletes will set sail. The procession will traverse six kilometers along the river, passing iconic landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre Museum. The boats will culminate their journey at the Pont d'Lena, situated near the Eiffel Tower.The official opening ceremony will take place at the Champions Park, a temporary stadium erected in front of the Trocadero, by the Eiffel Tower. French President Emmanuel Macron will deliver the opening declaration, marking the official commencement of the Games.The ceremony will feature performances by over 3,000 artists, although the details of these performances remain under wraps. To accommodate spectators, 3,26,000 tickets have been made available for viewing the boat procession, with temporary stands erected along the riverbanks. Additionally, 2,22,000 free tickets will be distributed for viewing from the upper banks, while the lower quays will offer tickets ranging from 90 to 2,700 euros. Giant screens will also be set up throughout the city to ensure that everyone can witness this historic event.Security concerns have been a major consideration for the organizers, given the recent resurgence of extremist Islamist attacks in Europe. A rehearsal was canceled due to strong river currents, highlighting the challenges faced by the organizers. Alternative plans have been proposed, including hosting the ceremony at Trocadero Square facing the Eiffel Tower or at the Stade de France.

India will send a contingent of 117 athletes and 140 support staff to the upcoming Paris Olympics, which will be held from July 26 to August 11. The contingent includes 29 athletes in athletics, 21 in shooting, and 19 in hockey. Other sports represented include table tennis (8), badminton (7), wrestling (6), archery (6), boxing (6), golf (4), tennis (3), swimming (2), sailing (2), equestrian (1), judo (1), rowing (1), and weightlifting (1).The contingent will be led by chef-de-mission Gagan Narang, a former Olympic bronze medalist in shooting. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has been allocated 11 contingent officials, including five medical team members, who will be accommodated in the Games Village. An additional 72 support staff, including coaches, physios, and psychologists, will be accommodated in hotels outside the Games Village at government expense.The shooting contingent, which is the second largest, consists of 11 women and 10 men. The athletics contingent includes 11 women and 18 men, while the table tennis contingent has four players in each category. Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Mirabai Chanu is the lone weightlifter in the contingent and will compete in the women's 49kg category.The government has emphasized the importance of anti-doping measures and has asked the IOA and concerned federations to take appropriate steps to avoid any doping embarrassments. The Paris Organizing Committee will provide three cars for the Indian contingent without drivers, and the Indian Embassy in Paris will assist in identifying and hiring temporary drivers.

Anjum Moudgil, a former world no. 1 shooter, has overcome mental challenges to secure a berth at the Paris Olympics. After being left out of the Indian team for the Asian Games and World Championships last year, Moudgil worked on her mental toughness and focused on her training.Moudgil, who competed in two events in Tokyo, will only participate in the women's 50m 3 position in Paris. She admitted that being dropped from the team for the Worlds and Asian Games due to inconsistent form was an eye-opener."I really took advantage of quotas and trials," Moudgil said. "I was too focused and positive in giving my best in the trials. I knew my strengths and how to work under pressure, and it paid off."Moudgil emphasized the importance of mental health, noting that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has set up a Mentally Fit Helpline for athletes. "It's so important for all the federations and IOC to understand," she said. "It's important to understand the mental side, understand how it works for an athlete, understand mental toughness."India has named a strong 21-member shooting contingent for the Paris Games, including many youngsters. Moudgil is confident in the team's abilities. "All of them are confident, the team is doing very well," she said. "My expectation is for everyone to give their best, everyone going with a positive mindset."Moudgil is counting on her difficult Tokyo experience to shine in Paris. "Competing in one rather than two events both have positive and negative sides, but I am happy," she said. "The competition is very high in India and the pressure situations we face during trials will definitely help in Olympics."The shooting competitions of the Paris Olympics will be held at the National Shooting Center in Châteauroux, France. Moudgil is currently in Luxembourg for the final phase of her training before heading to France on July 21st.

Manu Bhaker, the 22-year-old pistol shooter, is preparing for her second Olympics with a renewed mindset and the guidance of her coach, Jaspal Rana. After a bitter fallout before the Tokyo Games, the duo has reconciled and is working together to achieve success in Paris.Bhaker, known for her Gen Z lingo, has matured significantly since her teenage years. She now understands the importance of not dwelling on failures or successes, recognizing that people's memories fade over time. Rana has noticed her growing maturity and believes she is more practical and calm.The relationship between Bhaker and Rana extends beyond coach and athlete. Rana serves as her mental coach, fitness coach, yoga coach, father figure, and friend. He has helped her regain her love for shooting and find peace in the foothills of Dehradun.Rana emphasizes the importance of making Bhaker an independent shooter and not overanalyzing scores or data. He believes in her abilities and encourages her to be brave and free in her approach. Bhaker credits Rana with helping her "chill" and stop working with a sports psychologist.Despite their different interests, Bhaker and Rana share a close bond. They go for walks together in the evening, where Bhaker can talk about anything she wishes. Rana provides her with the support and guidance she needs, both on and off the range.Bhaker's newfound approach is evident in her preparation for the Paris Olympics. She is determined to avoid unnecessary pressure and focus on enjoying the moment. Rana's presence at the range gives her courage and confidence.

Anshu Malik, India's 57kg wrestling sensation, is honing her skills in the hallowed halls of Nippon Sports Science University in Yokohama, Japan. Under the watchful eyes of legendary wrestlers Kaori Icho and Chikara Tanabe, Anshu is sparring with Japan's elite wrestlers, seeking to elevate her technique and prepare for the upcoming Paris Olympics.After three hours of intense sparring with world champions like Yui Sasaki, Akari Fujinami, and Tsugumi Sakurai, Anshu takes a brief respite before returning for a second session of grueling training. The Land of the Rising Sun has become a crucible for Anshu's growth, inspiring her to reach new heights in her young career.At 22, Anshu has already made her mark as an Olympian and a World Championships silver medalist. However, she is determined to make a splash in Paris and prove her mettle on the global stage. "I have improved a lot from Tokyo," she says. "In Tokyo, I was a teenager with technical deficiencies. I have matured as a wrestler in these three years."This is Anshu's third training stint at Japan's invitation-only facility, which has produced some of the country's greatest wrestling talents. The world-class guidance has been invaluable, as evidenced by her impressive performance at the Olympic qualifier selection trial in Patiala.Anshu's 57kg division is one of the most competitive in the world. Her major challengers include Nigeria's Odunayo Folasade Adekuoroye, Moldova's Anastasia Nichita, and USA's Helen Maroulis. "I have competed against them and my bouts have always been close," she says. "I understand their gameplan well. Ultimately, it will boil down to that particular day."Off the mat, Anshu enjoys cooking as a therapeutic hobby. She also credits her father, Dharamvir Malik, for her unwavering support and relentless training. "Since the day we first stepped on the mat, papa told me to think of him as an enemy," she says. "He shows no mercy, gives no respite. Off the mat, he is a friend with whom I can share everything."Anshu's journey to the Paris Olympics is filled with both challenges and opportunities. With her unwavering determination and the support of her mentors, she is poised to make a mark on the world stage and bring glory to India.

Cricket may reign supreme in India, but other sports are gaining traction. According to Ormax Media, football, Kabaddi, professional wrestling (WWE), and hockey follow cricket in popularity. However, only hockey is relevant to the upcoming Paris Olympics.Key Terms for the Paris Olympics:* Heats: Preliminary rounds in track, rowing, swimming, and canoeing, where athletes are grouped based on performance.* Dressage: Equestrian event where horse and rider perform predetermined movements within an arena, judged on fluidity and coordination.* Ippon: In judo, a decisive victory achieved by throwing an opponent on their back, pinning them for 20 seconds, or forcing a submission.* RSC: In boxing, when the referee stops a contest due to the losing boxer's inability to protect themselves.* Repechage: In wrestling, track, and rowing, a chance for athletes who lose to medalists to qualify for bronze.* PC (Penalty Corner): In hockey, a penalty awarded when a foul is committed within the penalty circle. The attacking team attempts to score by hitting the ball into the goal.Indian Athletes to Watch:* Anush Agarwalla: Competing in dressage, the only Indian equestrian at Paris 2024.* Tulika Maan: India's sole judo representative, aiming for an ippon victory.Understanding Repechage:Repechage offers a lifeline to athletes who lose to eventual medalists. In wrestling, for example, Sakshi Malik won bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics after losing in the quarterfinals. She qualified for the repechage rounds and won two subsequent bouts to secure a medal.Penalty Corners in Hockey:Penalty corners are crucial in hockey, often determining the outcome of matches. India's captain, Harmanpreet Singh, is renowned for his dragflicks, which can be game-changers.

The Paris Olympics, commencing on July 24, will witness a blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars. Among the veterans, several notable athletes have announced their final Olympic appearances.Simone Biles: At 27, Biles is the youngest on this list but has already made history as the oldest American woman to make an Olympic gymnastics team since the 1950s. After a two-year hiatus, she returned to dominate the sport, winning multiple gold medals worldwide. In Paris, she aims to add to her seven Olympic medals, including four golds from Rio 2016.Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce: The Jamaican sprint legend has declared Paris 2024 as her final Olympics. She will compete in her fifth Games, seeking to increase her medal count of eight, including three golds. After the Olympics, Fraser-Pryce plans to focus on her family.LeBron James: The basketball icon has announced that Paris 2024 will be his last Olympic appearance. With two golds (Beijing 2008 and London 2012) and a bronze (Athens 2004), James will become the first US men's basketball player to compete in three different decades. He leads a star-studded team that has drawn comparisons to the legendary "Dream Team" of 1992.Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray: Two of the three tennis greats in Paris have confirmed their final Olympic appearances. Nadal, with two golds (singles in Beijing 2008 and doubles in Rio 2016), has announced his retirement from the Games. Murray has hinted at a farewell tour, having won two golds (singles in London 2012 and Rio 2016) and a mixed doubles silver (London 2012). Djokovic, however, has not mentioned retirement and remains a dominant force in tennis.Eliud Kipchoge: The Kenyan long-distance running legend has not officially announced his retirement but has expressed uncertainty about his future Olympic participation. Kipchoge has won gold in his last two Olympics, becoming only the third person to achieve this feat. A victory in Paris would make him the most successful marathon runner in Olympic history, with an unprecedented hat-trick of golds.

India Gears Up for Paris Olympics: High-Powered Committee Meets to Enhance CoordinationNew Delhi: In preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics, a high-level committee comprising officials from the Sports Ministry, Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and Sports Authority of India (SAI) convened on Friday to assess India's readiness.Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who presided over the meeting, emphasized the need for "coordination among all stakeholders." He urged officials to prioritize "country's interest before personal interest," according to sources familiar with the discussions.These remarks come amidst ongoing disputes within the IOA over accreditation and financial matters. "IOA executive council members are seeking access cards for National Olympic Committees, which are distributed to federations. These cards provide access to all venues and are essential for federation officials," an IOA official explained."However, only a limited number of such cards (six) are available for India. Some IOA officials also wish to bring their family members," the official added.To address these concerns, a coordination committee was established during the meeting, with IOA President PT Usha and SAI DG Sandip Pradhan in attendance. Usha and IOA executive committee members have been at odds over various issues, including the appointment of CEO Raghuram Iyer, which remains unratified.Upon assuming office, Sports Minister Mandaviya had met with IOA executive council members and urged them to resolve their differences.India's Olympic Contingent and Coaching SupportIndia will send a contingent of 257 members, including 118 athletes, to the Olympics. Notably, Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Mirabai Chanu will be supported by three coaches and a physio. In addition to national coach Vijay Sharma, Sandip Kumar and Pramod Kumar have been included as coaches in weightlifting, while Rohit Shyam Chhabria will serve as physio.Tokyo gold medalist Neeraj Chopra will be accompanied by his coach Klaus Bartonietz and physio Ishaan Marwaha. Other athletes, including Manu Bhaker, Vinesh Phogat, PV Sindhu, Manika Batra, Jyothi Yarraji, Gaganjeet Bhullar, and Rajeshwari Kumari, will have their personal coaches.In wrestling, the coaches of Anshu Malik, Antim Panghal, Nisha Dahiya, and Aman Sehrawat will be accommodated in the 'non-accredited' category.

India's Olympic Preparations Intensify: Minister Mandaviya Emphasizes Elite Athlete ReadinessIn preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics, India's Sports Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, has urged all stakeholders to prioritize the mental and physical well-being of elite athletes. With 118 athletes, including 48 women, representing India across 16 sports disciplines, the minister emphasized the importance of ensuring their optimal condition for success.The government has established a coordination group to provide holistic support to athletes and address any challenges leading up to and during the Games. Over 80% of qualified athletes are currently training in Europe to minimize acclimatization issues.Through the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), the government is providing comprehensive support, including world-class coaches, competitive exposures, and rehabilitation and injury management initiatives. For the first time, a recovery center with sports science equipment will be available at the Games Village.Additionally, India House has been established in Paris, joining other nations in providing a dedicated space for athletes. All decisions are made with the athletes' needs and perspectives in mind, demonstrating a strong commitment to their success.These efforts underscore India's dedication to optimizing athlete performance and well-being, showcasing a unwavering commitment to their achievements.