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Paris Games-bound high jumper Sarvesh Kushare has received invaluable advice from Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra: "Just focus on training and don't get scared by the fame of the opponents." This guidance has boosted Kushare's confidence, especially after a period of uncertainty about his Olympic qualification.Kushare's journey to the Olympics has been remarkable. From practicing on a makeshift mat made of fodder to becoming the first Indian high jumper to qualify for the Games, he has overcome numerous challenges. His personal best of 2.27m and season's best of 2.25m make it realistic for him to reach the final round in Paris.Despite his relatively small stature, Kushare is determined to compete with the best. "It is only my height that is small, but I am also very strong from within," he said. "There is no fear of seeing my opponent's personality. It is important to be in top form at the right time and have faith in your preparation."Kushare's training regimen in Poland includes gym work, speed training, strength training, and recovery sessions. He also incorporates yoga and meditation into his routine for mental preparation. "I talk to a sports psychologist regularly for mental preparation," he said. "He tells me how to deal with pressure and how to keep myself mentally fresh."Kushare's Olympic debut will be a significant moment for Indian athletics. He hopes to make it to the finals and bring pride to his country. "We also want to be like him (Chopra) and bring pride to the country," he said.

Achanta Sharath Kamal, India's flag-bearer for the Paris Olympics, has had an illustrious career spanning five Olympic appearances. From sharing a meal with tennis legend Roger Federer to taking a set off Chinese table tennis icon Ma Long, Sharath has created countless memories on the Olympic stage.Sharath's Olympic journey began in Athens in 2004, where he met double trap shooting silver medalist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore before the final. In Beijing in 2008, despite suffering a knee injury, Sharath fought valiantly to reach the second round, defeating Spain's Alfredo Carneros and pushing Austrian friend Chen Weixing to five sets.London 2012 marked a turning point for Sharath, as he helped the Indian men's team qualify for the Olympics for the first time. In Rio 2016, he faced Ma Long, the eventual gold medalist, and managed to win a set, a testament to his resilience and determination.Tokyo 2020, postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, presented unique challenges for Sharath. Despite limited training resources in India, he persevered and made a significant impact, winning a set against Ma Long once again.Sharath's Olympic experiences have not been limited to table tennis. In Athens, he witnessed the "mamba mentality" of basketball legend Kobe Bryant during the opening ceremony. In Beijing, he observed the camaraderie among international athletes, including Federer and Andy Roddick.As he prepares for his potential final Olympic appearance in Paris, Sharath believes that the team qualification could be a catalyst for the growth of table tennis in India. His unwavering spirit and dedication to the sport continue to inspire young athletes and fans alike.

Indian hockey legend PR Sreejesh, a stalwart in the national team for over a decade, has announced his retirement after the 2024 Paris Olympics. The announcement marks the end of an era for Indian hockey, as Sreejesh has been a pivotal figure in the team's resurgence on the international stage.Sreejesh, who made his senior debut in 2006, has been a cornerstone of the Indian defense, renowned for his exceptional reflexes and leadership skills. He played a crucial role in India's historic bronze medal victory at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the team's first Olympic medal in 41 years.Beyond his on-field achievements, Sreejesh has also been a mentor and inspiration to younger players. Harmanpreet Singh, the current captain of the men's team, credits Sreejesh's guidance for his own development."He has been an inspiration for all of us," said Harmanpreet. "We want to 'Win it for Sreejesh' and we are all the more encouraged to stand on the podium once again."Sreejesh's retirement announcement has been met with an outpouring of gratitude and admiration from the hockey community. He has expressed his heartfelt thanks to his family, teammates, coaches, and fans for their unwavering support throughout his career."This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary," said Sreejesh. "I am forever grateful for the love and support from my family, teammates, coaches, and fans."As Sreejesh prepares for his final international tournament, the Indian team is determined to give him a fitting send-off. They have dedicated their Paris 2024 campaign to the legendary goalkeeper, aiming to win another Olympic medal in his honor.

French authorities have apprehended a Russian national suspected of orchestrating "destabilization" plots during the upcoming Paris Olympics. The 38-year-old man was detained and placed under judicial investigation for allegedly "organizing events likely to lead to destabilization during the Olympic Games."Prosecutors revealed that an investigation was initiated into "passing intelligence to a foreign power in order to arouse hostilities in France," a crime punishable by up to 30 years in prison. A search of the suspect's residence, conducted at the request of the interior ministry, yielded evidence supporting the alleged plans.However, authorities emphasized that the plot was not terrorist in nature and that anti-terrorist prosecutors were not involved in the case. In preparation for the Olympics, authorities have conducted extensive background checks on over a million individuals, including athletes, coaches, journalists, volunteers, security guards, and local residents near event locations.Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin disclosed that 4,360 individuals were denied access to the Games, with 880 of them barred due to suspected foreign interference. Recent incidents have raised concerns about foreign actors attempting to influence French public opinion or foment divisions.In June, dummy coffins labeled "French soldiers in Ukraine" were left near the Eiffel Tower. In May, red hands were painted on Paris's main Holocaust memorial. Following Hamas's attack in October, stars of David were tagged on buildings in the Paris region, leading to the arrest of two Moldovan suspects.

Paris Olympics 2024: Indian Swimmer Srihari Nataraj Unboxes Official KitThe highly anticipated Summer Olympics are set to commence in Paris this year, with the official opening ceremony scheduled for July 26th. However, some events will take place prior to this date, igniting excitement among athletes and fans alike.Indian swimmer Srihari Nataraj, who made his Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020, has shared a glimpse of his official kit for the upcoming Paris Games. In a video posted on social media, Nataraj unboxes the contents of two suitcases adorned with the Puma logo.The video showcases a range of items, including ceremonial attire, casual outfits, uniforms, footwear, and accessories. Nataraj meticulously displays each piece, providing viewers with an exclusive look at the official gear that will be worn by Indian athletes during the Games.The video has garnered significant attention on social media, with over 1.7 lakh views and 13,000 likes. Instagram users have expressed their admiration for the kit, with many offering well wishes to Nataraj and the Indian Olympic team."Looking good," commented one user. "Best wishes for the Olympics," added another. Several others echoed these sentiments, expressing their excitement for the upcoming event.Nataraj's unboxing video serves as a reminder of the immense preparation and anticipation that goes into participating in the Olympics. It also highlights the pride and excitement that athletes feel when representing their country on the world stage.In addition to Nataraj, Dhinidhi Desinghu will also represent India in swimming at the Paris Olympics. Both athletes will be hoping to make a mark in their respective events and bring glory to their nation.

Avinash Sable, India's 3000m steeplechase champion, has shifted his focus from chasing timings to meticulous preparation ahead of the Paris Olympics. After a disappointing performance at the 2022 Budapest World Championships, Sable opted to train in Bengaluru rather than return to the Indian team's base in Colorado Springs.His decision paid off at the Hangzhou Asian Games, where he struck gold and regained his confidence. However, Sable realized the need to improve his preparation for major events. In the 2022 Eugene Worlds, he qualified for the final but finished 11th due to a slow race. At Budapest, another tactical and slow preliminary heat caught him off guard, resulting in his elimination."This year, the focus has been on preparation, so that I don't run behind but run shoulder to shoulder with the front group," Sable explained. "That's why I started late. I want to cover all the bases in training."Sable's preparation included declining invitations to Diamond Leagues to focus on his Olympic training. He believes that he has overcome his fear of international competition and is now confident in his abilities."I know what it is to compete in international events. I don't have a fear of international competition anymore," he said. "I've learnt to back my decisions. I've not thought about results in the preparation phase. I told myself I will accept all that comes my way, but whatever has to happen should happen before Olympics, not during it."The Paris Diamond League served as an ideal preparation for the Olympics, featuring top runners. Sable finished sixth, breaking his national record with a time of 8:09.91. Kenyans Abraham Kibiwot and Leonard Kipkemoi, who will compete in the Olympics, were also in the race.Sable's focus has shifted from chasing timings to improving his overall performance. "Last year, the target was to get good timing; this year it is the opposite – keep doing your best in training – speed, endurance, final kick," he said.Having broken the national record multiple times, Sable believes that his obsession with timing is over. "I was running for timing and if I didn't get it in one race, I would call up Scott that I want to enter this Diamond League or some other competition," he explained. "But I was losing crucial time to train and it was affecting my preparation for major championships."Sable's goal for the Paris Olympics is to run a race similar to the Commonwealth Games, where he won silver against three Kenyans. "I think my best chances will be if it is a race like athletes running single file," he said. "You are clear about your position. You are able to see others."Sable is prepared for any type of race and is confident in his abilities. "Kuch bhi ho jaaye, jaise bhi race jaaye, uske liye prepare raghenge," he said. (Whatever the race throws up, I will be ready).

Audi has appointed former Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto as the new head of its Formula 1 project, effective August 1. Binotto, 54, will assume the role of Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer, overseeing the team's operations from the Sauber factory in Hinwil, Switzerland.The move comes as part of a restructuring within Audi's F1 project, with former McLaren Team Principal Andreas Seidl and Audi executive Oliver Hoffmann departing. Binotto's appointment is seen as a significant coup for Audi, given his extensive experience in Formula 1.Binotto joined Ferrari in the mid-1990s and served as Chief Technical Officer before being promoted to Team Principal in 2019. He left the role in 2022 after three years, during which time Ferrari achieved several race wins and podium finishes.Audi CEO Gernot Dollner expressed his delight at Binotto's appointment, stating that his "extensive experience of more than 25 years in Formula 1" will be invaluable to the team. Dollner also explained that the restructuring aims to streamline management structures, reduce interfaces, and improve decision-making processes.Nico Hulkenberg, who will leave Haas at the end of the season, has been confirmed as the first driver for Audi's F1 team. The German driver described the move as "interesting" and "very exciting."The future of current Sauber drivers Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas remains uncertain beyond the current campaign.

Amit Panghal, the 28-year-old Indian boxer, has undergone a remarkable transformation since the Tokyo Olympics. After a brief setback, he has regained his spot on the national team and is determined to fulfill his grandfather's dream of winning an Olympic medal.Panghal's grandfather, Captain Jagram Panghal, was an undefeated wrestler in his village. His image is now tattooed on Panghal's shoulder blade, serving as a constant source of inspiration. "It ensures he is always around me. I draw a lot of peace and confidence from it," Panghal says.Despite being the world No. 1, Panghal suffered a disappointing exit in the opening bout of the Tokyo Olympics. However, his resilience has propelled him to a second chance at Olympic glory.Panghal's resurgence began with a victory at the Strandja Memorial in February. He then topped the evaluation criteria at the national camp, earning his return to the team.To prepare for Paris, Panghal underwent a month-long training stint at the high-altitude center in Shilaroo, Himachal Pradesh. This has significantly improved his endurance and stamina."My endurance has improved a lot. Initially, I would lose steam after a bit of brisk walking at this altitude, but now I feel fresh throughout the bout," Panghal says.Panghal has also worked on his starting problems, which cost him in Tokyo. He now plans to adopt a more proactive approach from the opening round."The solution is to go on early attacks and land a few punches to impress the judges. I have changed my reactive strategy and have decided to be proactive," he says.Panghal identifies Cuban Alejandro Carlo and Uzbekistan's Hasanboy Dusmatov as his main threats in Paris. However, he remains confident in his ability to counter taller opponents with his pacy in-out style."It's the style that has worked best for me. I feel the endurance work will enable me to pull this off against the best," he says.

India's archery contingent is brimming with confidence ahead of the Paris Olympics, with ace archer Deepika Kumari expressing optimism about their chances. The team's strength lies in its clear communication and unwavering support for each other, especially in challenging situations.Deepika, a veteran of three Olympic Games, emphasized the importance of effective communication. "The strength of any team lies in its communication and combination. It's essential to support each other in various situations. We talk a lot and discuss how to handle different scenarios. Clear communication, especially in tough situations, is a huge strength for us," she said.Ankita Bhakat, who will be fulfilling her lifelong dream of competing in the Olympics, echoed Deepika's sentiments. "Since I started archery, I have always dreamt of playing in the Olympics. Now, that dream is coming true. In past World Cups, we rarely played podium matches, but this time it's different. We learned from our early setbacks and improved significantly. Our performance has been consistently better in each competition, and I believe we will perform well at the Olympics," Bhakat stated.Bhajan Kaur, another member of the women's team, highlighted the importance of self-belief and giving their best effort. "My performance at the second World Cup was much better than the first one, so I started feeling victorious about my progress since the first World Cup. Whenever we go for a tournament, we focus on giving our best, no matter the magnitude of the tournament. Our aim is to leave no stones unturned for the Olympics as well and we are confident that we will return from Paris with a medal," Kaur said.Bhakat also acknowledged the invaluable experience of having Deepika Kumari in the team. "It's a great advantage that Deepika is going to the Olympics for the fourth time. She understands the challenges we might face in Paris," she explained.Bhajan added, "Deepika's experience, along with Ankita's, is our biggest strength. They help us understand and rectify any issues in our game. Our ability to communicate and support each other is crucial."Deepika, one of India's most decorated archers, has been a beacon of excellence in the sport. The former World No.1 archer has won medals in World Cups, Asian Championships, the Commonwealth Games, the World Championships, and the Asian Games.