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Dhiraj Bommadevara, a 22-year-old Indian archer, has made a remarkable impression at the Paris Olympics 2024, finishing fourth in the men's archery ranking round. His impressive performance propelled India to the quarterfinals of the team event.Hailing from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, Dhiraj's archery journey began in 2006 at the Volga Archery Academy. After four years of training at the Army Sports Institute in Pune, he joined the Indian Army in 2021.Ranked 15th in the world, Dhiraj secured his berth for the Paris Olympics in Bangkok. In the lead-up to the competition, he claimed a bronze medal at the World Cup 2024 in Antalya, Turkey.Dhiraj's achievements extend beyond the Paris Olympics. He was part of the Indian men's team that won a silver medal at the Asian Games 2023, alongside Atanu Das and Tushar Shelke. He also made his international debut in 2017 and won his first major title at the 2021 World Archer Youth Championships.In the women's archery ranking round, India's team secured a fourth-place finish, earning a spot in the quarterfinals. Ankita Bhakat finished 11th with a season-best score of 666, while Bhajan Kaur placed 22nd with 659 points. Deepika Kumari, a four-time Olympian, finished 23rd with 658 points.Dhiraj Bommadevara's performance at the Paris Olympics 2024 is a testament to his hard work and dedication. His achievements have not only brought glory to India but have also inspired aspiring archers across the country.

Paris, the culinary capital of the world, is embracing a plant-based revolution for the upcoming 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. In a bold move, the city has decided to make 60% of its menu vegetarian, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint of the Games by half.This unprecedented initiative is led by Philipp Würz, the mastermind behind the food and beverages at the 2024 Olympics. Würz believes that the Games provide a unique opportunity to showcase a sustainable and healthy alternative to traditional Olympic catering.The vegetarian menu will feature a diverse range of cuisines, including French, Asian, African-Caribbean, and world cuisine. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole cereals will form the heart of the menu, with dishes like veggie bourguignon and veggie moussaka replacing their meat-based counterparts.The nutritional values and environmental impact of each course will be displayed in the canteens, empowering attendees to make informed choices. To minimize waste, unconsumed food will be donated to food banks, while food scraps will be transformed into compost or biogas.Despite concerns about meeting the nutritional needs of elite athletes, numerous studies have shown that plant-based diets can provide all the necessary nutrients for optimal performance. In fact, many Olympic athletes have experienced significant improvements in their health and performance after adopting a vegan or vegetarian diet.The 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics will not only be a celebration of athleticism but also a testament to the power of plant-based nutrition. By embracing a vegetarian menu, Paris is setting a new standard for sustainable and healthy sporting events.

The ongoing war in Ukraine has cast a long shadow over the lives of its citizens, including its athletes. As the country's 143-strong contingent prepares for the Olympics in Paris, they carry the weight of their nation's struggles on their shoulders.The constant threat of missile attacks and air sirens has made training for the Games an arduous task. Electricity has become scarce, with power grids destroyed by the conflict. Despite these challenges, the athletes have persevered, determined to represent their country with honor.President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has hailed the athletes as "heroes" for their resilience. Teenaged diving sensation Oleksiy Sereda and slalom canoeist Viktoriia Us shared their experiences of training amidst the chaos."We had lots of troubles for preparation for this Olympics because there are always air alerts back home," said Sereda. "You have to go to a safe place and hide. That is why all our preparation in Ukraine was super hard."Viktoriia, who will make her third Olympic appearance, echoed Sereda's sentiments. "For me, this Olympics is not just about participation. This is super important for the people of Ukraine and soldiers protecting us," she said.Both athletes have had close calls with death. Sereda's house was hit by a shell, while Viktoriia's was struck by a missile. They worry for the safety of their families back home, especially their fathers who are serving as soldiers.Despite the trauma they have endured, Sereda and Viktoriia are determined to compete with their hearts and souls. They believe their presence at the Olympics is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian people."We are here to show that Ukraine is ready to fight anywhere," said Sereda. "The world must see that Ukrainians are here and competing and everyone must remember about this horrible situation in Ukraine."

Indian hockey forward Sukhjeet Singh is brimming with confidence ahead of his Olympic debut at the Paris Games. Despite the pressure of playing at the highest level, Sukhjeet remains unfazed, drawing inspiration from his international goals.Sukhjeet made his debut for the Indian team in 2022, scoring a goal in his first match against Spain in the FIH Pro League. Since then, he has amassed 22 goals in 70 international appearances, showcasing his prowess as a prolific scorer.Physically and mentally prepared for the challenges of the Olympics, Sukhjeet is one of five debutants joining the 11 members of the Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist team. He believes that the team's experience and his own preparation will help them navigate the pressure of facing top teams in the pool.India's campaign begins on July 27 against New Zealand, followed by matches against Argentina, Ireland, Belgium, and Australia. Sukhjeet is particularly eager to face Australia, a formidable opponent that India has faced 43 times since 2013.To boost his confidence, Sukhjeet watches clips of his international goals before big matches. He also credits sports psychologists for providing valuable guidance on handling pressure.Sukhjeet's journey to hockey began at the age of six, inspired by his father, a former Punjab Police hockey player. His father's dream of seeing his son represent India has now become a reality.When asked about his aspirations for the Olympic Games Village, Sukhjeet remains focused on his preparation. He believes that the team's camaraderie and the support of senior players will help them achieve their goals.Sukhjeet's determination and unwavering belief in his abilities make him a valuable asset to the Indian hockey team. As he prepares for the biggest stage in sports, he is confident that he will make his father and the entire nation proud.

Renowned clubmaker and golf coach Sundeep Verma is set to make his third Olympic Games appearance, this time as the coach of leading Indian professional Gaganjeet Bhullar at the Paris 2024 Games. Bhullar, an 11-time Asian Tour champion, will be making his Olympic debut as part of a four-member Indian golf team that also includes Shubhankar Sharma, Aditi Ashok, and Diksha Dagar.Verma, with over 25 years of experience in the golf industry, has worked with some of India's top golfers, including Jeev Milkha Singh, Anirban Lahiri, S.S.P. Chawrasia, Jyoti Randhawa, Himmat Singh Rai, Shiv Kapur, and Shubhankar Sharma. He accompanied Chawrasia to the Rio 2016 Olympics and Diksha to the Tokyo 2020 Games, playing a crucial role in their performances.Bhullar, who is eager to make a mark in his maiden Olympic appearance, expressed his confidence in Verma's guidance. "It was quite natural to pick Sundeep as my coach. He has worked with me during my early professional days and has always been a valuable source of advice. His experience at the Olympic venue and his understanding of the game will be invaluable to me. I am confident that with him on my side, I will deliver a remarkable performance in Paris," said Bhullar.Verma, who was also the coach of the Indian amateur golf team at the Eisenhower Trophy in 2022, is excited to share his knowledge and experience with Bhullar. "I am happy to be accompanying Bhullar to Paris. I would love to pass on the learnings from Rio and Tokyo to him. He is an accomplished golfer with the right temperament and attacking mindset to perform well in big events like the Olympic Games. We will give it our best shot to return with a medal from Paris," said Verma.Bhullar's participation in the Paris Olympics has been supported by the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which has covered his expenses for airfare, boarding and lodging, registration fees, and training at the Olympic venue. He will depart for Paris along with Verma on July 28.

Reigning Olympic BMX freestyle champion Logan Martin's title defense has gotten off to a rocky start after thieves broke into the Australian team's van in Brussels, stealing equipment and personal belongings.Martin took to Instagram on Wednesday to share videos of the incident, showing the smashed passenger side window of the vehicle and police officers speaking to a member of the Australian delegation."Our van got broken into last night," Martin said in the video. "Luckily my bikes weren't in there, although my bike bags were in there with some things in it."Martin lost his wallet, backpack, and other items in the theft. "What a crazy start to the trip," he wrote in the caption of the video. "It's unfortunate when people feel the need to do things like this."In a later video, Martin and his teammates discovered some of their stolen bags beside a bench nearby. They attributed this to the "bag tags" that were attached to the bags.Martin, who won gold in Tokyo ahead of Venezuela's Daniel Dhers, is currently in Brussels with the Australian team for a training camp before leaving for Paris on Wednesday.The incident has cast a shadow over Martin's preparations for the upcoming BMX Freestyle World Championships in Abu Dhabi, which will serve as a qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics.Martin is one of the favorites to win the gold medal in Paris, and he will be hoping to put the theft behind him and focus on his training.

The Summer Olympics in Paris are set to commence with a grand ceremony on the Seine River, welcoming over a hundred heads of state, government officials, royalty, and US First Lady Jill Biden. However, the absence of Russian officials due to the ongoing war in Ukraine casts a shadow over the event.Despite the ban on Russia's participation, a small group of neutral athletes will represent the country. Ukraine's attendance remains uncertain, with President Volodymyr Zelensky yet to confirm his presence. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US First Lady Jill Biden are among the notable attendees.European leaders expected to grace the ceremony include German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Israeli President Isaac Herzog will attend under heavy protection amidst protests over Israel's bombardment of Gaza.Gulf states have kept their plans confidential, while Chinese President Xi Jinping will be represented by Vice President Han Zheng. Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has delegated his wife Rosangela to represent the nation. Argentine leader Javier Milei and Colombian President Gustavo Petro have confirmed their attendance.African leaders Brice Oligui Nguema of Gabon and Faustin Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic will be present. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye will attend, while South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa will not. Niger will be represented by sports ministry official Abdoulaye Mohamadou, marking the first anniversary of a coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.Royalty in attendance includes Britain's Princess Anne and Prince Albert of Monaco, both IOC members. King Felipe VI of Spain, King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark, and Princess Benedikte of Denmark are also expected.Despite ongoing conflicts in various parts of the world, the Olympics provide an opportunity for diplomatic engagement. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to call for a ceasefire, while French President Emmanuel Macron has urged an "Olympic truce."

Indian table tennis star Manika Batra, a Commonwealth Games gold medalist, will face Anna Hursey of Great Britain in the women's singles opening round at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Veteran Achanta Sharath Kamal, a six-time Olympian, will take on Deni Kozul of Slovenia in the men's singles.Manika, seeded 18th, made history at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics by becoming the first Indian woman to reach the round of 32 in singles. She recently achieved a career-best world ranking of No. 24.In other opening round matches, Harmeet Desai will face Abo Yaman of Jordan in men's singles, while Sreeja Akula, seeded 16th, will play Christina Kallberg of Sweden.Sharath Kamal, 41, is leading a six-member Indian contingent, making his fifth Olympic appearance. Manika will participate in her third consecutive Games.Gnanasekaran Sathiyan, a member of India's gold medal-winning men's teams at the 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games, has been selected as a reserve player.In the women's team event, 11th-seeded India will face fourth-seeded Romania in their opening match. The team includes Manika, Sreeja, and Archana Kamath.The Indian men's team, comprising Sharath Kamal, Manav Thakkar, and Harmeet, will face a tough challenge against top-ranked China in their opening round.The Paris Games will mark the first time that India will compete in the team event at the Olympics. The men's and women's team events in table tennis were introduced at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Neeraj Chopra's journey to Olympic gold was not without its challenges. After a disappointing experience with his previous coach, Uwe Hohn, Neeraj sought the guidance of German biomechanics expert Klaus Bartonietz. Despite their age difference, the two formed a strong bond based on mutual respect and a shared passion for javelin throwing.Klaus's approach to coaching is characterized by a focus on simplicity and innovation. He believes in empowering Neeraj to make decisions about his training, while providing expert guidance and support. This collaborative approach has allowed Neeraj to develop his own unique style and reach the pinnacle of his sport.Beyond their professional relationship, Klaus and Neeraj share a deep friendship. They engage in playful banter, exchange cultural insights, and support each other through life's ups and downs. This camaraderie has created a positive and supportive environment that has contributed to Neeraj's success.Neeraj's training regimen is meticulously planned with input from Klaus and his physiotherapist, Ishaan Marwaha. They carefully consider objectives, logistics, and competition schedules to ensure optimal preparation. Neeraj's dedication to his craft is evident in his willingness to experiment and push his limits.While training is a serious endeavor, the trio also finds time for fun and relaxation. Neeraj's love for Punjabi music often leads to impromptu dance sessions, and he has even taught Klaus a few Hindi words. Their off days are spent recovering, planning, and occasionally indulging in movie nights.As Neeraj prepares for the Paris Olympics, he and his team are focused on maintaining their winning formula. They believe in Neeraj's ability to perform under pressure and are confident that he can achieve another podium finish. Their bond, built on trust, respect, and a shared love for the sport, will undoubtedly play a crucial role in his continued success.