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Indian wrestling star Vinesh Phogat has made a triumphant start to her Olympic preparations, capturing the women's 50kg gold medal at the Grand Prix of Spain in Madrid. The victory marks a significant milestone in Phogat's journey towards the Paris Olympics in 2024.Phogat, a two-time World Championship bronze medalist, showcased her dominance throughout the tournament. In the final, she faced Mariia Tiumerekova, a former Russian wrestler now competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete. Phogat displayed her superior technique and determination, securing a 10-5 victory to claim the gold medal.The road to the final was equally impressive for Phogat. She began her campaign with a convincing 12-4 points victory over Pan American champion Yusneylis Guzman of Cuba. In the quarterfinals, she registered a win by fall against Madison Parks of Canada, a silver medalist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Phogat's semifinal bout against another Canadian, Katie Dutchak, was equally dominant, as she emerged victorious with a 9-4 points margin.Phogat's triumph in Madrid is a testament to her unwavering commitment and hard work. The 29-year-old former Asian Games gold medalist has been training relentlessly in preparation for the Paris Olympics. Her victory in Spain provides a much-needed boost of confidence and momentum as she gears up for the biggest stage in sports.After her successful outing in Spain, Phogat will travel to France for a 20-day training stint. This training camp will serve as a crucial step in her preparations for the Paris Games, where she will aim to add an Olympic medal to her impressive resume.

Indian Contingent Unconcerned by Lack of Air-Conditioning at Paris Olympics VillageDespite concerns raised by other nations, the Indian contingent for the upcoming Paris Olympics has expressed no major worries about the lack of air-conditioning in the Games Village. Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, Chief Medical Officer of the 13-member sports science team appointed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), stated that most Indian athletes they consulted did not view the issue as a significant concern.The Games Village will not be air-conditioned due to the Paris organizers' commitment to sustainability. However, Pardiwala noted that the geothermal cooling system in place, which will maintain temperatures 5-7 degrees Celsius lower than ambient, along with the availability of fans in the rooms, should be sufficient for Indian athletes."We explored the option of portable AC units, but we have no such plans as of now," said Pardiwala. "The geothermal cooling system and fans should be quite okay for our athletes."Pardiwala also mentioned that the team has a sleep therapist, Dr. Monika Sharma, who will assist in managing temperature-related issues. Additionally, Indian athletes will have access to sleeping pods, which provide a dark and noise-free environment for rest and recovery.In the event of a heat wave during the Games, the IOA and sports ministry have contingency plans in place. "We're exploring emergency arrangements for air-conditioning if necessary," said Pardiwala.The Indian shooting contingent, which will be based in Chateauroux, has opted not to utilize the services of the IOA team. "They've told us they're happy with their current arrangements and would only require assistance in case of major injuries," said Pardiwala.

Lovlina Borgohain, India's bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, has set her sights on a gold medal at the upcoming Paris Olympics. Her confidence stems from a string of impressive performances, including a gold medal at the 2023 World Boxing Championships and a silver medal at the 2022 Asian Games.Borgohain's transition from the Welterweight (69 kg) to the Middleweight (75 kg) category has been a game-changer for her. "I used to consistently win bronze, but since switching to the 75 kg category, I've seen remarkable improvement," she said. "Despite initial skepticism about weight gain, it has proven beneficial. I've won four consecutive gold medals in the National Games, National Championships, World Championships, and Asian Championships. This success gives me the confidence to aim for Olympic gold."In preparation for Paris 2024, Borgohain is leaving nothing to chance. "Every day and every session counts as we approach the Olympics," she said. "Setting a target and working diligently towards it motivates me. I structure my training to maximize productivity, ensuring each day brings me closer to my goal of winning gold."Borgohain's journey to boxing began with a childhood anecdote. "When I was young, I didn't know much about boxing," she said. "My father, who worked in tea plantations, brought home sweets one Sunday wrapped in a newspaper with an article about Muhammad Ali. That moment sparked my interest in boxing. My journey began with martial arts, and then I moved directly to competing in national boxing, using my martial arts knowledge to guide me."For aspiring athletes, Borgohain emphasizes the importance of discipline, focus, and sacrifice. "The journey is fraught with challenges, including injuries, but perseverance is key," she said. "Overcoming these obstacles is what makes a champion."Borgohain's achievements have earned her recognition as one of India's top boxers. She is an Arjuna Award winner and Khel Ratna awardee, joining the ranks of Vijender Singh and Mary Kom as Indian boxers to win an Olympic medal. As she prepares to compete in the women's 75kg event at Paris 2024, her recent victories solidify her status as a top contender for the gold medal.

Head coach Craig Fulton is well aware of the expectations from the Indian men's hockey team in the upcoming Paris Olympics. His mantra to his players is to play the game and not bother about the occasion."I agree that the expectations are higher after Tokyo bronze, but the bottom line is that the team has been progressing well. They are in the top eight and from 12th in London (2012) to 8th in Rio (2016) to bronze in Tokyo (2020). It was a big jump and now we are preparing for Paris," the South African coach told PTI Bhasha in an interview."My mantra to players is play the game, not the occasion. It's still a hockey match and rules have not changed," said the former Olympian who has represented his country in 1996 and 2004 Olympics.He said he's a "process driven" coach and all focus now is on the first game of the Paris Olympics against New Zealand. "We are training for that and we take one game at a time which is the most realistic way to do it," said the 50-year-old who was assistant coach of the Belgium team that won the 2018 Men's Hockey World Cup in India.He did not get a full four-year cycle for the preparation of the team but has no complaints. "Yeah, you normally have a four year cycle from one Olympics to another to prepare. It's not an excuse but that's how it is. I think we did well in three months to qualify for the Olympics through Asian Games gold. The team is confident and playing well," said Fulton, a former winner of FIH coach of the year award.He believes in players who are ready to take a bullet for his teammates and his team bonding methods have yielded good results too. He took the team to South Africa where the players did mountain hiking, surfing, barbeque at the beach, etc."I believe that if someone is not playing well, you have to cover him up. At the end, If you want to do something special at the big stage, it's all about the chemistry between the players and how much they care for each other. "The bond and the trust needs to be there so that you can give 100 per cent for each other," said the coach who had guided Ireland to Olympic and World Cup qualification in 2016 and 2018.Fulton is not bothered by India's seventh finish at FIH Pro League or the current drop in the world ranking. India is placed at seventh position in the latest rankings. "We struggled a little bit in the Pro League but the main purpose there was the selection so there were lots of rotations and changes and that's all right. Our main goal was to get the right team for Paris," he said"Not bothered by the rankings as we were trying to improve the depth of our squad, so we gave new players opportunities. We try to win every game with whatever team we play and that's not an excuse. We had six draws and five wins and 10 points was the difference between 7th team and the winner, so it was really close," said Fulton.He feels mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton, who has the experience of working with top cricketers, has an important role to play. "Paddy has worked with high profile cricketers like Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli which also encouraged our players to open up to him. Mental skills are one of the things we needed to improve but the real challenge is to do it back to back and that is what we are focusing on," he added.His focus has been on creating a good defensive structure because that is the area where teams often make mistakes. "Focus is on basics like PCA (penalty corner attack) and PCD (penalty corner defense). In today's hockey, anyone can beat anyone on their days. So a lot comes down on the goalkeepers, PCA and PCD where you make many mistakes. It is the area where we are trying to make technical and tactical improvement. We have a good offense but we need to keep improving the consistency of defence," he said"Field goal numbers have improved from the last Pro League to this one. But in the last Pro League, PCA count was higher. So it's like a zig zag and we are trying to put it together in the Olympics," he added.On India getting a 'Pool of Death' with Australia, Argentina and Belgium in the same group, the coach said, "We have to win five games to be in the top four. First game against New Zealand is very important."

The Indian sporting landscape is witnessing a growing trend of elite athletes opting for personalized training under personal coaches, breaking away from the traditional national set-up. This shift is evident across various sports, including shooting, wrestling, athletics, table tennis, badminton, and boxing.Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, double Olympic medalist PV Sindhu, and world championship medalist Vinesh Phogat are among the prominent athletes who have embraced this approach. With government and sponsors providing financial support, more athletes are hiring personal trainers and physiotherapists to tailor their training programs.Dronacharya awardee badminton coach Vimal Kumar believes this shift is a sign of Indian sport's growth. However, he emphasizes that top athletes should invest their own resources in support staff rather than relying on government funds.In shooting, the trend has been particularly noticeable. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has allowed personal coaches to accompany their trainees at camps ahead of the Olympics. Former shooting international Deepali Deshpande, who has worked with both national and personal coaches, highlights the importance of providing support for athletes who may not make the national team.Wrestling has also seen a shift towards personalized training, with elite wrestlers opting to train at their academies in the absence of national camps. Star wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia have achieved success with personal coaches since 2018, inspiring others to follow suit.In table tennis, the friction between personal and national coaches flared up at the Tokyo Games. However, Italian coach Massimo Costantini has been roped in ahead of the Paris Olympics and has welcomed the presence of personal coaches.Badminton shuttlers, including Chirag Shetty-Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, PV Sindhu, and Lakshya Sen, are also working under personalized training plans.While personal coaches provide individualized attention and tailored training programs, national coaches play a crucial role in preparing athletes for team events and providing guidance during competitions. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has identified "medal hopefuls" who will be allowed to bring personal coaches and support staff to the Paris Olympics, subject to availability of slots.

Indian Swimming Faces Setback Ahead of Paris OlympicsThree years ago, Indian swimming celebrated a historic moment when Sajan Prakash became the first Indian to achieve the Olympic Qualifying Time (OQT) for the Tokyo Games. However, as the Paris Olympics approach, the Indian swimming contingent finds itself in a disappointing position.No Indian swimmer has managed to qualify for the Paris Olympics through the OQT or the Olympic Consideration Timing (OCT). This has forced India to rely on Universality Places, which are allocated to underrepresented National Olympic Committees. As a result, Srihari Nataraj (100m backstroke) and Dhinidhi Desinghu (200m freestyle) will represent India in Paris.Sajan Prakash, who made history in Tokyo, has been sidelined by injuries and failed to qualify for Paris. He acknowledges that his planning and training were not optimal. The modified criteria for Universality places, which limit participation to two Olympics and an age limit of 30, also worked against him.Srihari Nataraj, who also achieved the OQT for Tokyo, expressed disappointment at not qualifying directly for Paris. Despite strong performances, he narrowly missed the 'A' cut. Coach Nihar Ameen believes that Srihari may need to reduce weight to improve his speed.Indian swimming coaches attribute the lack of depth in the sport to early burnout. Young swimmers often peak early due to pressure to perform in national meets. This leads to injuries and a high dropout rate before the age of 17.To address this issue, coaches emphasize the need for a robust coaches' education program to raise the level of coaching. They believe that it will take time to develop a sustainable pipeline of talented swimmers who can consistently achieve Olympic qualification.

Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra will lead a 28-member Indian athletics contingent to the Paris Olympics, which will commence on July 26. Chopra, the reigning world champion in javelin throw, skipped the recent Paris leg of the Diamond League to focus on his preparations for the Summer Olympics 2024.The Indian squad comprises 17 men and 11 women athletes. Race walkers Priyanka Goswami and Akshdeep Singh, who are part of the squad, were the first Indians to qualify for athletics this year. Other notable names include Avinash Sable and Tejinderpal Singh Toor, who won gold medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games.The Indian 4x400m men's relay team, featuring Muhammed Anas, Muhammed Ajmal, Amoj Jacob, and Rajesh Ramesh, will be closely watched after their qualification at the World Athletics Relay 2024 tournament in Bahamas.The track and field competition will be held at the Stade de France from August 1 to August 11. "I am confident that this contingent will sustain India's growth trajectory in sports," said Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya during the ceremonial send-off of the Paris-bound athletes and the unveiling of the playing kits of the contingent.

Neeraj Chopra, India's star javelin thrower, is in peak physical condition and poised to secure a medal at the upcoming Paris Olympics, according to Spencer Mackay, head of strength and conditioning at the Inspire Institute of Sports (IIS).Chopra, 26, underwent rehabilitation at IIS for an elbow injury prior to his historic Olympic gold medal victory in Tokyo 2021. Despite a recent adductor niggle, Mackay emphasizes that Chopra's past injuries are no longer a concern."He is in excellent physical condition and well-prepared," Mackay stated. "When the Olympic finals begin, Neeraj will be in a fantastic position to win another medal for the country."Chopra resumed competitions in June after a month-long break, claiming gold at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland. He also secured a gold medal at the National Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar.Mackay highlights the importance of sports science and rehabilitation in modern athletic training. "India has a lot of scope to enhance the performance of their athletes," he said. "As long as the scope for sports training supplemented with sports science, development of coaches, the scope for India to massively increase the medal haul come the next Olympics games is going to be clear."IIS has become a hub for Indian athletes seeking injury recovery and rehabilitation. Mackay emphasizes the tailored approach to rehab programs based on individual athlete data and psychological factors."We also have in mind the psychological aspect of an athlete suffering a specific injury and the way he or she suffered it in mind," Mackay explained. "If we have more contact with them, we can do more based on the capability of the athlete and how much we have been able to expose him or her to development over time being a key component of the rehabilitation process during the injury situation."Chopra's absence from the Paris Diamond League on Sunday indicates his focus on the Olympics. Mackay remains confident in Chopra's abilities and the support provided by IIS. "We are happy to be in a situation where we have been able to affect athlete rehabilitation in a positive way and to see them returning back to the performance level they had before, is an incredibly rewarding position."

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, the reigning Olympic champion, shattered her own 400m hurdles world record at the US trials in Eugene, Oregon, on Sunday. Her astonishing time of 50.65sec, bettering her previous best of 50.68, secured her place at the Paris Olympics in sensational style.McLaughlin-Levrone's victory was a testament to her dominance in the event. She surged ahead of her rivals from the start, producing a devastating burst of speed down the stretch to finish well ahead of Anna Cockrell (52.64sec) and Jasmine Jones (52.77sec)."Honestly, praise God," McLaughlin-Levrone said after her jaw-dropping performance. "I was not expecting that, but he can do anything -- anything's possible in Christ. I'm just amazed, baffled, and shocked."The 24-year-old's victory marks her third Olympic appearance, following her participation in the 2016 Rio Games and the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games. Based on her performance in Eugene, McLaughlin-Levrone is poised to add to her collection of major championship victories, having won gold medals in Tokyo and at the world championships two years ago.In the men's 400m hurdles, Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Rai Benjamin sealed his place in Paris with a commanding victory in a world-leading 46.47sec. Benjamin's early lead and blistering pace proved too much for his rivals, as he crossed the finish line approximately 10m ahead of C.J. Allen (47.81sec) and Trevor Bassitt (47.82sec).The 26-year-old Benjamin is eager to challenge Norwegian hurdling king Karsten Warholm, the reigning Olympic and world champion.In the women's 100m hurdles, Masai Russell produced the race of her life to book her ticket to Paris, winning in a world-leading 12.25sec. Russell's victory was a culmination of hard work and perseverance, as she overcame doubts and criticism to achieve her goal."I can't even talk right now, I've got so many emotions because this has been the hardest season of my life," the 24-year-old Russell said after her victory. "People were doubting me, saying all these things about me. But I just stayed true to myself, stayed true to my work and my craft."However, there was disappointment for two veterans of US sprint hurdling. 2019 world champion Nia Ali missed out after finishing fourth, while Keni Harrison, the 2020 Olympic silver medalist, finished sixth.In other events, two-time Olympic champion Christian Taylor failed to qualify in the triple jump, while Will Claye, silver medalist behind Taylor in 2012 and 2016, also failed to make the cut. Salif Mane won the event with a leap of 17.52m, followed by Russell Robinson and Donald Scott.