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Haryana's Kiran Pahal has etched her name in history by becoming the second Indian woman to qualify for the Paris Olympics in the women's 400 meters. At the ongoing National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Panchkula, Haryana, Pahal clocked an impressive 50.92 seconds in the semifinal, surpassing the qualifying mark of 50.95 seconds.Pahal's remarkable performance not only secured her a berth at the prestigious Games but also marked her best timing of the season. She displayed exceptional speed and endurance, leaving her competitors behind. Devy Aniba Zala of Gujarat finished a distant second with a timing of 53.44, while Sneha K of Kerala came third with a time of 53.51.Pahal's qualification is a testament to her unwavering determination and rigorous training. She has consistently pushed her limits and showcased her exceptional talent on the track. Her achievement is a source of pride for India and inspires aspiring athletes across the nation.The Paris Olympics, scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024, will witness Pahal competing against the world's best in the women's 400 meters. Her qualification is a significant milestone in Indian athletics and raises expectations for a strong performance at the Games.

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Mirabai Chanu is determined to surpass her previous achievements in the upcoming Paris Games. After recovering from a six-month injury layoff, Chanu is targeting a lift of over 90kg in snatch, aiming for a total lift of 200kg to secure a medal.Chanu's journey back to competition began with a 184kg lift at the Phuket World Cup in April. Despite her best efforts of 88kg in snatch and 119kg in clean and jerk, she recognizes the need to improve her performance.Under the guidance of her long-time coach Vijay Kumar Sharma, Chanu is gradually increasing her training intensity. She is currently lifting 80-85% of her maximum capacity, with a target of 90kg plus in snatch for Paris.The injury phase has been a valuable learning experience for Chanu. She emphasizes the importance of following coaches' instructions, adopting proper techniques, and prioritizing rest and exercise. She believes that understanding her body and staying motivated are crucial for overcoming injuries.Despite the pressure of expectations, Chanu remains confident in her abilities. She acknowledges the challenges ahead but is determined to give her best performance and win a medal for India.Chanu is currently training at NNIS, Patiala, and will depart for Paris on July 7 for a training stint. Her unwavering determination and focus on improvement make her a formidable contender for success in the upcoming Games.

Harmanpreet Singh will lead India's 16-member men's hockey squad at the Paris Olympics, aiming to secure a second consecutive podium finish. The team, selected after two days of trials, boasts a blend of experience and youth.Veteran goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, along with Manpreet Singh, will become the first Indian hockey players to participate in four Olympics. Harmanpreet, who made his Olympic debut in 2016, will be appearing in his third Games.Five Olympic debutants will join the experienced core, including Sanjay and Jarmanpreet Singh in defense, Rajkumar Pal in midfield, and Abhishek and Sukhjeet Singh in attack.Coach Craig Fulton expressed confidence in the team's ability to manage a second successive podium finish. "The selection process was incredibly competitive, but I am confident that every player chosen will bring their best," he said.India is placed in Pool B alongside defending champion Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland. They will need to finish in the top four to advance to the knockout stage.The squad's experience and youthfulness are expected to complement each other, providing the versatility and energy required to tackle the challenges ahead.

Tulika Maan has become the first Indian judoka to secure a quota for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 25-year-old achieved this feat by securing a continental quota in the women's +78kg division, as per the latest rankings released by the International Judo Federation (IJF).Maan, who hails from Bhopal, has been a consistent performer at the national and international levels. She has participated in the 2017 World Championships in Budapest and the 2017 Tokyo World Judo Championship. She also clinched a silver medal at the Asian Open in Kuwait in 2023.During the qualification period from June 22, 2022, to June 23, 2024, Maan accumulated 1345 ranking points. This placed her 36th in the standings, securing a continental quota for India.The National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have the exclusive authority to select athletes to represent their countries at the Olympic Games. NOCs must confirm their use of quota places by July 2.Judo was first introduced to the Olympic program at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Despite being dropped from the 1968 Mexico City Games, it has been a regular fixture since the 1972 Munich Olympics.Avtar Singh (men's 90kg) was the last Indian to compete in judo at the Olympics, in Rio 2016. India is yet to win an Olympic medal in judo.The judo competitions at the Paris 2024 Olympics will be held at the Champ-de-Mars Arena from July 27 to August 3. A total of 372 judokas, 186 each in men's and women's events, will compete for Olympic glory.

Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has been battling an adductor niggle that has hampered his season. After winning his first gold medal at the Paavo Nurmi Games, Chopra expressed his intention to consult multiple doctors after the Paris Olympics to address the persistent issue.Chopra's adductor niggle has been a recurring problem, affecting him every year. Despite the discomfort, he managed to secure a gold medal at the Paavo Nurmi Games with a throw of 85.97m. However, he acknowledged that he could not compete as much as he would have liked this season due to the niggle.Despite the setback, Chopra remains determined to compete in more competitions this season. He will next participate in the Paris Diamond League on July 7. In preparation for the Paris Olympics, Chopra will train in three different European venues with his coach Klaus Bartonietz and physio Ishaan Marwaha.Chopra's training regimen includes stints in Kuortane, Finland; Saarbrucken, Germany; and Gloria Sports Arena, Turkey. He emphasizes the importance of staying healthy in the lead-up to the Olympics, as he believes it will enable him to perform at his best.Chopra's journey to the Paris Olympics has been marked by both triumphs and challenges. Despite the adductor niggle, he remains focused on his goal of achieving success at the highest level. His determination and resilience are a testament to his unwavering spirit and commitment to the sport.

Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is set to make his competitive return at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, on Tuesday, June 14. The 26-year-old Indian superstar will be up against a stellar field, including German sensation Max Dehning, who is the youngest member of the coveted 90m club.Chopra, who is aiming to enter the 90m club himself, will also face competition from local favorite Oliver Helander, who defeated him in the 2022 edition of the Paavo Nurmi Games. Two-time world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada and 2012 Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago will also be in the fray.Chopra was forced to withdraw from last month's Ostrava Golden Spike as a precautionary measure due to a niggle in his adductor muscles. He began his season at the Doha Diamond League in May, where he finished second with a throw of 88.36m.Despite the setback, Chopra remains confident in his preparations for the Paris Olympics in 2024. He has opted out of the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Panchkula to avoid a hectic schedule ahead of the Games."Further competition schedule will be decided later according to situation and my body. Otherwise, I will go to Paris from there (after competing in Turku)," Chopra said after the Federation Cup.Chopra's return to competitive action at the Paavo Nurmi Games will be a crucial test of his fitness and form as he builds up to the Paris Olympics. The Indian star will be hoping to continue his impressive run of success and cement his status as one of the world's best javelin throwers.

The Indian men's hockey team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, has concluded their FIH Pro League campaign with a commendable performance, finishing fourth in the points tally with 24 points from 16 matches. The team's journey included five wins, three shootout victories, five defeats, and three shootout losses.Harmanpreet Singh, the star drag-flicker, emerged as a standout performer, finishing as the top scorer for India with 12 goals. He also holds the joint lead in the tournament's scoring charts alongside Australia's Blake Govers and the Netherlands' Jip Janssen. Singh's scoring prowess was evident as he netted eight goals from penalty corners and four from penalty strokes.The FIH Pro League has served as a valuable preparatory event for the Indian team ahead of the Paris Olympics. The tournament provided the team with an opportunity to compete against top-tier teams and assess their strengths and areas for improvement."This league has been crucial in helping us understand our strengths and areas for improvement. Competing against top-tier teams has given us valuable insights into our game," said Harmanpreet Singh. "We now know where we stand and what we need to work on to perform at our best on the global stage."The Indian team will now take a short break before assembling for a brief camp in Bengaluru. "We have identified specific aspects of our game that need attention, and the upcoming camp will be vital in working on those areas," said Harmanpreet. "Our goal is to build on our performance and ensure we are fully prepared for the Paris Olympics."

Veteran table tennis player A Sharath Kamal expressed surprise and pride at being named India's flagbearer at the Paris Olympics, recognizing his years of dedication to the sport. The decision sparked controversy, with the Tamil Nadu Athletics Association expressing dissatisfaction.Kamal, 41, will become the first table tennis player to carry the Indian flag at the Olympics. He has competed in five previous Games and holds a record 10 national titles. At the Commonwealth Games, he has won 13 medals, including seven gold."I was pretty much surprised at first," Kamal said. "When I was the flagbearer at the Commonwealth Games, there was immense joy and so much pride. When it was announced first, it was a bit hard to believe because there are people like Neeraj Chopra who have won medals at the Olympics or who are expected to win... Beyond all of them, they thought about me."Kamal believes his selection reflects the recognition of his hard work and dedication to table tennis. "I do understand the thing behind that because of the timing of events for athletes. For me personally, getting there as a five-time Olympian, it really recognizes the toil I have done over the years not just for myself but also for the table tennis fraternity."Reigning Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who won India's first track and field medal at the Tokyo Games, was widely expected to be named flagbearer. However, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) opted for Kamal, citing his experience and contributions to Indian sports.The decision has sparked debate, with some questioning whether a non-Olympic medalist should be given the honor. However, Kamal's supporters argue that his longevity, consistency, and dedication to his sport make him a worthy choice.

Ahead of the crucial preparatory phase for the Paris Olympics, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has been actively addressing concerns raised by shooters regarding the involvement of personal coaches and participation in the upcoming ISSF Munich World Cup.Personal Coach Involvement:NRAI has held discussions with shooters to resolve issues related to the role of personal coaches in training plans. The association has emphasized the importance of personal coaches in providing moral and technical support, but has also stressed the need for a common training schedule to ensure proper monitoring of Olympic shooters.To address this, NRAI has proposed a collaborative approach where personal coaches, national coaches, the High Performance Director (HPD), and shooters work together to develop a mutually agreed-upon training program. This program will be followed in all training camps leading up to the Olympics.Munich World Cup Participation:Some shooters have expressed concerns about fatigue after the month-long Olympic trials and have requested to skip the Munich World Cup. NRAI has granted flexibility to shooters, allowing them to choose the events they wish to compete in or even participate only in the ranking round.However, NRAI has emphasized the importance of the Munich World Cup as it provides an opportunity to experience the Olympic format and environment without the pressure. The competition will also serve as a valuable benchmark for the Olympic squad, which is yet to be announced.Guidelines for Personal Coaches:NRAI has issued guidelines for personal coaches, outlining their roles and responsibilities during the training phase leading up to the Paris Olympics. These guidelines include restrictions on direct communication with shooters during events and entry into certain areas.While some personal coaches have objected to these guidelines, NRAI has invited them to attend NRAI camps to discuss the matter further. The association aims to be flexible and consider each case individually, but emphasizes the need for understanding and collaboration between coaches and shooters.