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India's Olympic journey in the 21st century has been marked by steady progress, with the country winning more medals than in all its previous appearances combined. Since the turn of the millennium, India has claimed 20 Olympic medals, including a historic gold in 2008 and another in 2021.Sydney 2000: Breaking BarriersThe Sydney Olympics witnessed a significant milestone for India as Karnam Malleswari became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal, claiming bronze in weightlifting. This breakthrough paved the way for future female athletes to excel on the Olympic stage.Athens 2004: Shooting SuccessRajyavardhan Singh Rathore etched his name in Indian Olympic history by winning the country's first individual silver medal in shooting. His achievement in men's trap shooting marked a turning point for India in the sport.Beijing 2008: Golden GloryAbhinav Bindra's historic gold medal in men's 10m air rifle was a watershed moment for India. It was the country's first individual gold since 1980 and the first in a sport other than hockey. Sushil Kumar and Vijender Singh also contributed bronze medals in wrestling and boxing, respectively.London 2012: Record HaulIndia's medal tally doubled in London, with Sushil Kumar becoming the first Indian to win two individual Olympic medals. The men's hockey team returned to the Olympics and finished eighth, while Saina Nehwal and Mary Kom made history as the first Indian women to win individual medals in badminton and boxing, respectively.Rio 2016: Resilience and RedemptionDespite high expectations, India faced a medal drought until Sakshi Malik's bronze in women's wrestling. PV Sindhu's silver in badminton provided a glimmer of hope, showcasing India's growing strength in the sport.Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021): Golden EraIndia's performance in Tokyo was its most successful ever, with a record seven medals. Neeraj Chopra's gold in javelin throw was a historic achievement, while the men's hockey team ended a 41-year medal drought with a bronze. Mirabai Chanu, PV Sindhu, Lovlina Borgohain, Ravi Dahiya, and Bajrang Punia also contributed medals in weightlifting, badminton, boxing, and wrestling, respectively.

The Chhatrasal Stadium in Delhi, renowned for producing Olympic medalists in wrestling, has been marred by a recent incident of violence. A coach was allegedly assaulted by a wrestler in the hostel, leaving him with severe injuries. The incident has raised concerns about the deteriorating discipline and safety at the center.Despite its past glory, Chhatrasal has faced challenges in recent years. The murder of wrestler Sagar Dhankar in 2019, involving Olympic medalist Sushil Kumar, cast a shadow over the stadium's reputation. The latest attack has revived memories of that tragedy.Coaches and trainees at Chhatrasal have expressed fear and concern, with some claiming that the incident was not an isolated case. They point to issues of indiscipline, disobedience, and power struggles within the center. The lack of experienced coaches and frequent administrative changes have also contributed to the decline.Former Olympic medalist Yogeshwar Dutt has criticized the lack of discipline at Chhatrasal, contrasting it with the strict environment he experienced during his training. He believes that the center has lost its authority and that trainees are now allowed to behave as they please.Insiders have also raised concerns about the misuse of hostel facilities by former trainees who continue to occupy rooms despite getting jobs. Senior wrestlers are also accused of influencing juniors and engaging in power politics. The lack of a proper admission process and the absence of a designated administrator have further exacerbated the situation.The Delhi government has issued a directive on discipline and accountability in response to the incident. Trainees have been asked to vacate the hostel, and only U-14, U-17, and U19 competitors, along with current internationals, are being recalled. The government is also looking to hire more coaches.Despite the challenges, Chhatrasal remains a breeding ground for talented wrestlers. The recent Paris Olympics quota winner, Aman Sehrawat, is a testament to the center's potential. However, for the wrestlers to truly thrive, the issues of discipline, safety, and administration need to be addressed.