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Legendary marksman Jaspal Rana has raised concerns over the delay in naming the Indian shooting contingent for the Paris Olympics, expressing that it leaves little time for final preparations. While several countries have already announced their squads and are in the final stages of training, India has commenced a month-long trial process.The top-five ranked shooters in pistol and rifle categories will undergo four trials, with the selection for Paris to be made after that. However, this leaves precious little time for the last phase of training, as the Olympics commence on July 26.Rana criticized the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) for not announcing the squad in shotgun events, despite the trials being completed. He believes that this delay puts pressure on shooters who have won quota places, while those who have not have less pressure.Rana also criticized the ongoing trials at the Karni Singh Ranges, saying he had never seen a competition where only five shooters per event were short-listed. He believes that at least three more shooters should have been included to complete the minimum requirements in a competition.He also expressed concerns about the number of trials, saying that it was too much and gave little time for rest and recovery. In the case of Manu Bhaker and Esha Singh, they will have to appear in eight trials, putting added pressure on their physical and mental well-being.Rana believes that the federation could have used some of the scores in national and international competitions as trial scores, reducing the number of trials required. He also emphasized that shooters should be ready for anything, but that the current situation is not ideal for de-stressing.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is facing a crisis as the executive committee (EC) has called for an emergency meeting to address urgent issues with president PT Usha. The EC members have raised concerns over the arbitrary functioning of CEO Raghuram Iyer and Ajay Narang, Usha's executive assistant.The logjam has affected the functioning of the IOA, with financial bills being held up and preparations for the Paris Olympics in jeopardy. The EC members have pointed to the resignation of two senior members, Raj Laxmi Singh Deo and Sahdev Yadav, due to a lack of information and arbitrary actions by Iyer and Narang.The EC has alleged that the duo is making unauthorized hotel and ticket bookings, granting unapproved accreditations, and spending IOA funds without following due processes. They have also expressed concerns over the appointment of Iyer as CEO, which they claim was illegal and unconstitutional.The EC members have demanded that Usha consult them on key appointments, such as the chef-de-mission for the Paris Olympics, and make decisions as per the IOA constitution. They have also reiterated their opposition to Iyer's appointment and Narang's contract.Usha has defended her actions, claiming that Iyer was appointed through proper procedures and that Narang is her executive assistant. However, the EC members maintain that they were not consulted on Iyer's appointment and that Narang's contract is a violation of the IOA constitution.The crisis within the IOA has raised concerns about the preparations for the Paris Olympics. The EC members have urged Usha to address the issues urgently and ensure that the athletes are well-prepared for the Games.

Long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, India's brightest track and field prospect for the Paris Olympics, has suffered a devastating knee injury that has shattered his Olympic dreams and sidelined him for the entire year.Sreeshankar, who had already qualified for the Paris Games with a leap of 8.37m at the Asian Championships last year, sustained the injury during training on Tuesday. Tests revealed a tear in his patellar tendon, requiring surgery that will keep him out of action for months.The injury is a major setback for Sreeshankar, who had been in excellent form in 2023. He won a silver medal at the Asian Games, finished third in the Paris Diamond League, and set a new personal best of 8.41m at the Inter-State Championships.Sreeshankar's absence will be a significant blow to India's track and field contingent for the Paris Olympics. He was the only Indian jumper to have made the qualification mark for the Games, and his experience and talent would have been invaluable in the quest for medals.The injury has left Sreeshankar devastated, but he has vowed to overcome this adversity. "My journey to a comeback began the minute I injured my knee," he wrote in an emotional social media post. "This road is going to be long, difficult, and will take a lot out of me. The good thing is, I have a lot to give. I will overcome this, because that's what Mamba Mentality is all about."Sreeshankar's injury is a reminder of the fragility of athletic careers and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. Despite this setback, he remains a talented and determined athlete with the potential to achieve great things in the future.

With just 100 days remaining until the Paris Olympics, the Indian men's hockey team is intensifying its preparations, recognizing the significance of every practice and drill in building momentum for the prestigious event.Harmanpreet Singh, the team captain, emphasized the team's determination to improve upon their bronze medal performance in Tokyo. "We are hungry to improve our result in Paris," he said. "Every day, every practice, every drill counts towards that goal."The team's recent tour of Australia, where they were whitewashed 0-5, served as a wake-up call, highlighting areas that need improvement. "We have identified the areas we need to work on," said Hardik Singh, the team's vice-captain. "We will iron out any remaining issues well in time for the Olympics."Chief coach Craig Fulton is keeping the team on track with a rigorous training schedule. "The countdown to the Olympics is always in our minds," said Harmanpreet. "We are focused and ready to shine."India's qualification for the Paris Olympics came through their gold medal victory at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year. In Paris, they will face defending champions Belgium, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland in Pool B.The team's unity and shared goal of winning the gold medal are driving their efforts. "We are a close-knit group with a common purpose," said Harmanpreet. "We will give our all in the remaining 100 days to make our dream a reality."

Indian shooters are gearing up for the first of two training camps leading into the Olympic Selection Trials (OST), a month-long exercise that will determine India's representation in rifle and pistol events at the Paris Olympics. The OST is a first-of-its-kind event, with shooters vying for Paris spots through a scoring system that will factor in their best three scores from the trials.National rifle coach Suma Shirur has noticed a slight shift in the body language of shooters, who are accustomed to checking into national camps regularly. This time, they are "a little bit on the edge," with questions about how to prepare for an event like this. Shirur has addressed these concerns through routine discussions, interactive sessions with Olympians, and reiterating the attitude to be taken into the trials.The approach to these high-pressure trials is crucial, as the anxiety of making the Olympics team can be unnerving. Shirur emphasizes the importance of developing strategies for handling the pressure and staying in the moment. Former rifle shooter turned coach Deepali Deshpande believes the key to the right approach lies in planning, using all events in 2023 for confidence building and ensuring quotas are secured.Deshpande acknowledges the risk of shooters laying too much emphasis on the trials, potentially affecting their performance at the Olympics. However, she believes that the shooters will be ready for the challenge of peaking twice in around three months. Shirur agrees, stating that shooting doesn't require physical peaks, so the focus will be entirely on mental peaking.After the trials, shooters will need to take a break for recovery and get back to the basics before redirecting their energies into the Olympics. Shirur emphasizes the importance of rest and recovery to ensure that every selected shooter is well rested and hungry to perform at the Olympics.

Equestrianism, the only Olympic event involving animals, has a rich history in India. In ancient times, chariot races and horse racing were integral parts of the Games. Today, horses continue to captivate audiences, and at the upcoming Paris Olympics, India will make its debut in the dressage event.Anush Agarwalla, a 24-year-old equestrian, will represent India in Paris, carrying the hopes of a nation. His journey to the Olympics has been marked by sacrifices and unwavering determination. Born into a business family with no sporting background, Agarwalla left home at 17 to train in Germany.Agarwalla's success is attributed to his strong bond with his horse, Sir Caramello. He emphasizes the importance of trust and understanding between rider and animal. "The trust level with your horse has to be immaculate," he says. "Bonding is key."Agarwalla's path to the Olympics was paved by his coach, Hubertus Schmidt, a 2004 Olympic gold medalist. Schmidt's patience and guidance have been instrumental in Agarwalla's transformation from a novice to an elite equestrian.In addition to his Olympic aspirations, Agarwalla is also an advocate for wellness. He believes that bonding with horses can have therapeutic benefits. "Horses can sense your emotions," he says. "They can help you relax and de-stress."Agarwalla's story is an inspiration to aspiring athletes and horse enthusiasts alike. It demonstrates the power of perseverance, dedication, and the unbreakable bond between humans and animals.

Amit Panghal, a renowned Indian boxer, has been reinstated into the national team for the upcoming Paris Olympics qualifier in Bangkok, scheduled from May 25th. This decision comes after India's disappointing performance at the previous qualifier in Italy, where the men's team failed to secure any Olympic quota spots.In a bid to improve their chances, several changes have been made to the squad. Panghal, a Tokyo Olympian and gold medalist at the Strandja Memorial tournament in February, has replaced Deepak Bhoria in the 51kg class. Bhoria, a world championship medalist, had two opportunities to seal an Olympic quota but failed to do so.Other notable changes include the exclusion of world championship medalist Mohd Hussamuddin in the 57kg category and seasoned boxer Shiva Thapa in the 63.5kg class. Sachin Siwach and young Abhinash Jamwal will take their places, respectively.Nishant Dev, who performed well in the previous qualifier, has retained his spot in the 71kg category. Sanjeet (92kg) and Narender Berwal (+92kg) have also been given another chance to secure Olympic berths.In the women's category, India has already secured four of the six Olympic quotas through their strong performance at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. Ankushita Boro has replaced Jasmine Lamboria in the 60kg class, while two-time world junior medalist Arundhati Chaudhary will compete in the 66kg category.The Indian team will be hoping for a strong showing in Bangkok as they aim to secure the remaining Olympic quota spots. The selection process was conducted through an evaluation process by coaches in the national camp, following the resignation of India's high-performance coach Bernard Dunne.

Six-time world champion boxer M C Mary Kom has resigned as India's Chef-de-Mission for the upcoming Paris Olympics, citing personal reasons. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha announced Mary Kom's decision in a statement on Friday.In a letter to Usha, Mary Kom expressed her regret for stepping down from the prestigious role. "I consider it an honor to serve my country in every way possible, and I was mentally prepared for it. However, I regret that I will not be able to uphold the prestigious responsibility and would like to resign, owing to personal reasons," she wrote.Mary Kom, who is also a bronze medalist from the 2012 London Olympics, was appointed as Chef-de-Mission on March 21. She was tasked with overseeing the logistical arrangements for the Indian contingent at the Paris Games, scheduled for July 26-August 11.IOA President Usha expressed sadness over Mary Kom's decision but respected her privacy. "We are sad that Olympic medal-winning boxer and Chairperson of the IOA Athletes Commission Mary Kom has stepped down citing personal reasons. We respect her decision and her privacy," Usha said.Usha added that she had a conversation with Mary Kom after receiving her letter. "I completely understand her request and respect her decision. I have also conveyed to her that she will always have my own support and that of IOA. I also request everyone to respect the legendary boxer's privacy," she said.The IOA will now begin the process of finding a replacement for Mary Kom. Usha said she would make an announcement about the new Chef-de-Mission soon.Mary Kom's resignation comes as a setback for the Indian contingent preparing for the Paris Olympics. However, the IOA is confident that it will find a suitable replacement who can lead the team to success.

Mirabai Chanu's return to competition after a six-month injury layoff has been met with cautious optimism. The 49kg lifter's 184kg lift at the Phuket World Cup has secured her a spot at the Paris Olympics, but the road to a medal is fraught with challenges.Chanu's performance in Phuket was encouraging, considering her recent injury. However, the competition in Paris will be fierce. The top three finishers in Phuket all lifted over 200kg, with North Korea's Ri Song Gum setting a new world record of 221kg.China's Hou Zhihui and Jiang Huihua, as well as Thailand's Surodchana Khambao and USA's Jourdan Delacruz, will be among Chanu's main rivals in Paris. These lifters are younger than Chanu and have been consistently lifting over 190kg.Chanu acknowledges the stiff competition but remains focused on her own performance. She has set a target of 205kg for Paris, which may not guarantee a medal but will keep her in contention.National coach Vijay Kumar Sharma is confident that Chanu will reach her peak in time for the Olympics. He believes that her strength-based workouts will help her regain her muscle strength and improve her technique.Despite the challenges, Chanu remains determined to make a mark in Paris. Her experience and resilience will be crucial in her quest for an Olympic medal.