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The Ministry of Sports' Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) has extended support to athletes and para-athletes in their preparations for the upcoming Paris Olympics and Paralympic Games. During its weekly meeting, the MOC approved several proposals for equipment assistance.Paralympic table tennis medalist Bhavina Patel received approval for assistance to participate in the ITTF Para Table Tennis Asia Training Camp 2024 in Thailand from July 16 to 20, along with her coach and escort. Para shooters Manish Narwal, Rudranksh Khandelwal, Rubina Francis, and Sriharsha R Devareddy also received approval for various sport shooting equipment, including an air rifle for Sriharsha and a Morini pistol for Rubina.Para-athlete Sandeep Choudhary will receive assistance for the procurement of two javelins. Archers Ankita Bhakat, Deepika Kumari, and para-archers Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar will receive financial assistance for equipment procurement.Judoka Tulika Maan and her coach will train at the Valencia Judo High Performance Centre in Spain until July 25. Table tennis player Manush Shah will receive financial assistance for training in South Korea and for the procurement of physical fitness equipment.The MOC also approved the inclusion of athletes Suraj Panwar, Vikash Singh, Ankita Dhyani, and swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu in the TOPS Core group. Athletes Jeswin Aldrin, Praveen Chithravel, Akashdeep Singh, and Paramjeet Singh were promoted from TOPS Development to Core Group.These approvals demonstrate the government's commitment to supporting athletes and para-athletes in their pursuit of excellence. The MOC's assistance will enable them to access the necessary equipment and training facilities to enhance their performance and achieve their Olympic and Paralympic dreams.

The Tokyo Olympics marked a watershed moment for Indian sports, with the country surpassing its previous medal tally of six with an impressive seven medals. Neeraj Chopra's historic gold in track and field, the men's hockey team's bronze after a thrilling victory over Germany, and PV Sindhu's consecutive Olympic medals were among the highlights.However, India's previous attempt to build on a record haul at the Rio 2016 Olympics proved disappointing. Despite the presence of medalists from London 2012, including Saina Nehwal, Yogeshwar Dutt, and Gagan Narang, the contingent failed to add to their tally.This time, India has a strong contingent of medal contenders, including Neeraj Chopra, PV Sindhu, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Lovlina Borgohain, Nikhat Zareen, and Mirabai Chanu.Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic, Asian, and World champion in men's javelin, is a strong favorite to defend his gold. PV Sindhu, despite recent setbacks, remains a medal contender and could become India's most successful Olympian with three medals.Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have a chance to become the first Indians to win an Olympic medal in men's doubles badminton. Boxers Lovlina Borgohain and Nikhat Zareen are also in contention for medals.Despite the seven medals in Tokyo, India's shooters underperformed. Manu Bhaker, who will compete in multiple events, and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar will carry India's hopes in shooting.The men's hockey team, bronze medalists in Tokyo, face a tough challenge in Paris. Under new coach Craig Fulton, they have improved defensively but have struggled in recent tournaments.India's medal hopes in Paris are high, but the country must learn from its past experiences and avoid complacency. With a strong contingent of athletes and a few historic firsts realistically possible, India has the potential to make a significant impact at the Paris Olympics.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has expressed concerns over the lack of preparatory camps for wrestlers bound for the 2024 Paris Olympics. In a letter to the Sports Authority of India (SAI), WFI president Sanjay Singh has requested medical tests and fitness assessments for the six qualified wrestlers.Singh emphasized the importance of ensuring optimal health and fitness for the athletes before the Games. He stated that the federation will not be held responsible for any injuries sustained due to the absence of sanctioned preparatory camps.The six wrestlers who have qualified for the Olympics are Vinesh Phogat, Anshu Malik, Antim Panghal, Reetika Hooda, Nisha Dahiya, and Aman Sehrawat. They have been training independently at their respective academies or abroad under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).However, the lack of a national camp has hindered the assessment of their fitness levels. Wrestling national coaches have informed WFI that they are unable to evaluate the fitness of some wrestlers.The case of Anshu Malik, who reportedly suffered a shoulder strain during training, prompted WFI to write to TOPS. Malik was admitted to a hospital, but WFI was not initially informed. The federation received contradictory reports on her fitness, leading to concerns about her preparation for the Olympics.WFI has also forwarded requests from wrestlers to take their coaches and support staff to the Games for IOA's consideration. Currently, only Vinesh Phogat's personal physio has been cleared by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).The lack of preparatory camps and the uncertainty surrounding the fitness of some wrestlers have raised concerns within the WFI. The federation is urging SAI to address these issues to ensure that the wrestlers are adequately prepared for the upcoming Olympics.

Paris-Bound Shooters Face Accommodation Chaos in BhopalNew Delhi: The Paris Olympics-bound Indian rifle shooters currently training in Bhopal faced significant inconvenience on Tuesday due to an administrative blunder related to their accommodation. Without prior notice, the shooters were abruptly asked to shift hotels with their luggage, given a mere 20 minutes to pack.The situation worsened when the shooters were informed that they would have to return to the same hotel on Wednesday morning. Sources close to the team revealed that the shooters were deeply upset and had complained to top National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) officials about the lack of proper organization, especially considering the importance of the national camp.The pre-Olympics camp in Bhopal commenced on July 7 and is scheduled to conclude on July 13. The team is set to depart for France on July 14. "There has been a lot of confusion regarding their accommodation from the very beginning. Today, when they returned from training around 3 pm, the shooters and support staff were told to immediately vacate and move to another hotel," said an individual familiar with the situation."Everyone was caught off guard. They had to rush and pack a lot of things. It was their time for rest, but that was lost in packing and shifting. Some of them skipped the evening gym session, while others just went through the motions. They will have to travel back to the same hotel tomorrow morning, which means another day of training will be affected," the source added.Another source pointed out that while there may have been a shortage of hotel accommodation due to the wedding season, the NRAI could have made better arrangements. A Sports Authority of India (SAI) facility is located near the shooting range. NRAI officials were unavailable for comment."It is shocking how the NRAI administration functions. Such situations take a mental toll on the shooters. They could have shifted the camp to another venue if rooms were not available," said a former shooter, requesting anonymity.A record number of 21 Indian shooters, including eight in rifle, have qualified for the Paris Olympics. The chaotic accommodation situation has raised concerns about the NRAI's ability to provide a conducive environment for the athletes' preparation.

The highly anticipated 2024 Paris Olympics are set to commence on July 26 and conclude on August 11, with 206 nations participating from across the globe. The event will feature 45 sports, including 41 mainstay Olympic disciplines and four new additions: breaking, skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing.India aims to surpass its tally of seven medals from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which included a gold, two silver, and four bronze. The country will send approximately 120 athletes to Paris, representing various sports.In archery, Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, Pravin Jadhav, Bhajan Kaur, Deepika Kumari, and Ankita Bhakat have secured spots. Athletics will see Akshdeep Singh, Vikash Singh, Paramjeet Singh Bisht, Priyanka Goswami, Avinash Sable, Parul Chaudhary, Jyothi Yarraji, Kiran Pahal, Tajinderpal Singh Toor, Abha Khatua, Neeraj Chopra, Kishore Jena, Annu Rani, Sarvesh Kushare, Praveen Chithravel, Abdulla Aboobacker, and the men's and women's 4x400m relay teams competing.Badminton will feature H.S Prannoy, Lakshya Sen, P.V Sindhu, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Ashwini Ponappa, and Tanisha Crasto. Boxing will be represented by Nikhat Zareen, Amit Phangal, Nishant Dev, Preeti Pawar, Lovlina Borgohain, and Jaismine Lamboria.In equestrian, Anush Agarwalla will participate in dressage. Golf will see Subhankar Sharma, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Aditi Ashok, and Diksha Dagar. The men's hockey team will include P.R Sreejesh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rogidas, Harmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Sanjay, Rajkumar Pal, Shamsher Singh, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh, and Gurjant Singh.Judo will feature Tulika Mann, while rowing will have Balraj Panwar. Sailing will see Vishnu Saravanan and Nethra Kumanan. Shooting will be represented by Prithviraj Tondaiman, Rajeshwari Kumari, Shreyasi Singh, Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Raiza Dhillon, Maheshwari Chauhan, Sandeep Singh, Arjun Babuta, Elavenil Valarivan, Ramita Jindal, Swapnil Kusale, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Sift Kaur Samra, Anjum Moudgil, Arjun Cheema, Sarabjot Singh, Manu Bhaker, Rhythm Sangwam, Vijayveer Sidhu, Anish Bhanwala, and Esha Singh.Swimming will have Dhinidhi Desinghu and Srihari Nataraj. Table tennis will feature Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai, Manav Thakkar, Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, and Archana Kamath. Tennis will see Sumit Nagal, Rohan Bopanna, and Sriram Balaji. Weightlifting will be represented by Mirabai Chanu. Wrestling will have Aman Sehrawat, Vinesh Phogat, Anshu Malik, Nisha Dahiya, Reetika Hooda, and Antim Phangal.

The Indian men's hockey team embarked on a rigorous training regimen in preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics. The team's journey began with a three-day mental toughness camp in Switzerland under the guidance of renowned adventurer Mike Horn. This camp aimed to instill resilience and determination in the players.Following the Swiss camp, the team traveled to the Netherlands for a series of practice matches. These matches provided valuable experience against top-tier opposition and allowed the players to fine-tune their strategies. The team's final destination before the Olympics will be Paris, where they are scheduled to arrive on July 20.Skipper Harmanpreet Singh expressed confidence in the team's preparations. He emphasized the importance of the upcoming experiences in ensuring that the players are "in the best state of mind and body before we begin our Olympic journey."The team's training regimen has been meticulously designed to maximize their physical and mental capabilities. The Swiss camp focused on developing mental toughness through extreme challenges, while the practice matches in the Netherlands provided opportunities for tactical refinement.The Indian men's hockey team has a rich history of success at the Olympics, having won eight gold medals. The team's current squad is determined to add to that legacy and bring home another medal from Paris.

Achanta Sharath Kamal, India's flagbearer for the upcoming Paris Olympics, is brimming with confidence as he prepares for his fifth Olympic appearance. The 41-year-old table tennis legend believes he is reaching new heights with each passing year and is determined to make his best performance yet.Despite a disappointing outing at the Asian Games last year, Sharath played a pivotal role in securing India's historic Olympic quota via world rankings. He attributes his success to his unwavering dedication and the guidance of his Italian coach, Massimo Costantini."I'm happy to be scaling new heights with each passing year, both physically and mentally," Sharath said. "I hope the best is yet to come."Sharath's Olympic journey began in Athens 2004, where he was a 21-year-old newcomer. Now, with four Olympics under his belt, he dreams of a podium finish in Paris."Back then, I didn't know what getting into the Olympics was," he said. "But I have built up into the player I am right now, and hopefully, in my fifth Olympics, I have a chance to get that medal."Sharath acknowledges that a podium finish will be an "uphill task," but he remains optimistic. He has implemented systematic training methods and undergone extensive sports science testing to optimize his performance."It's going to be very tough, but we are optimistic as well because with the kind of form all of us have been playing," he said. "The girls are going to go a long way in the Olympics, same for the boys. We want to do it."Sharath's unwavering determination and belief in his team make him a true inspiration for Indian sports. As he prepares for his fifth Olympic appearance, he is poised to make history and leave an unforgettable mark on the world stage.

Avinash Sable, India's steeplechase star, has shattered his own national record in the 3000m steeplechase at the prestigious Diamond League meet in Paris. Clocking an impressive 8 minutes and 9.91 seconds, Sable finished sixth in the race, but his performance marked a significant milestone in his preparations for the upcoming Paris Olympics.Sable's previous national record of 8:11.20, set in 2022, was eclipsed by approximately one and a half seconds. The Ethiopian Abrham Sime emerged victorious with a personal best of 8:02.36, followed by Amos Serem of Kenya with the same time. Abraham Kibiwot of Kenya, the reigning World Championships bronze medalist, secured third place with a time of 8:06.70.This record-breaking performance marks Sable's return to his dominant form, having set his previous national record at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. It is the 10th national record for Sable, who hails from a humble farming family in Maharashtra.Despite a challenging season with limited races, Sable has shown remarkable improvement, reducing his best time by approximately 12 seconds. He had previously struggled in the 3000m steeplechase, clocking 8:21.85 in Portland and 8:31.75 in Panchkula.Sable's determination to make amends for past mistakes and deliver a memorable performance at the Paris Olympics is evident in his recent performances. He has adopted a different approach this season, focusing on peaking at the right time.In the men's javelin throw, Olympics-bound Kishore Jena faced challenges, finishing eighth with a throw of 78.10m. Despite his personal best of 87.54m and season best of 80.84m, Jena has had a disappointing season, with efforts below his potential.Reigning Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra opted out of the meet due to an adductor niggle that has been troubling him. Julian Weber of Germany claimed the top spot with a throw of 85.91m, while former world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada and Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic finished second and third, respectively.

Neeraj Chopra, India's reigning Olympic javelin throw champion, is poised to defend his title at the upcoming Paris Olympics. His remarkable performance at the World Championships, where he qualified for the final and the 2024 Paris Olympics with a first attempt of 88.77m, has solidified his status as a formidable contender.Chopra's journey to the top has been marked by consistent excellence. At the Tokyo Olympics, he etched his name in history by securing India's first-ever athletics gold medal with a best throw of 87.58m. He became the second Indian after Abhinav Bindra (2008) to win an individual gold at the Olympics and the first Indian since independence to earn a medal in athletics at the Games.Post-Tokyo, Chopra has maintained his impressive form. In June 2022, he set a new personal best of 89.30m at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland, breaking his own national record. He further surpassed his record with a throw of 89.94m at the Stockholm Diamond League, where he finished second.Chopra's historic silver medal at the Oregon World Championships in July 2022 was followed by a gold at the Lausanne Diamond League, which also qualified him for the Zurich final. He emerged victorious in the final with a throw of 88.44m, becoming the first Indian to do so and securing his spot at the 2023 World Championships.In May 2023, Chopra topped the Doha Diamond League with an 88.67m throw, propelling him to the top of the men's javelin rankings by World Athletics. His golden performance at the World Athletics Championships in August 2023, with a throw of 88.17m, further cemented his dominance. He concluded the season with a silver medal at the 2022 Asian Games, achieving a season-best throw of 88.88m.Chopra's unwavering determination and exceptional talent make him a strong favorite to defend his Olympic title in Paris. His consistent performances and unwavering focus on improvement bode well for India's hopes of another historic triumph in athletics.