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Atiqa Mir, the prodigious nine-year-old Indian racing sensation, has etched her name in the annals of motorsport history by becoming the first female racer globally to triumph in a race at the iconic Le Mans Kart International circuit. Her groundbreaking victory in Race 2 of the Heats in the Micro Max Category has catapulted her into the spotlight.Mir's triumph is a testament to her exceptional talent and unwavering determination. Despite being her maiden visit to the legendary Le Mans circuit, she swiftly adapted to the new kart and dominated the practice sessions, consistently topping the grid. However, in Qualifying, she faced a setback, securing only 10th place due to an obstructed lap.Undeterred, Mir showcased her resilience and maturity in the Qualifying Heat 1 Race, gaining four positions to 6th place. However, a racing incident with another driver relegated her to 9th position. In Race 2, Mir unleashed her true potential, setting a series of blistering lap times and executing masterful passes to secure a historic victory.Her triumph at Le Mans places her among an elite group of drivers, including Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen, George Russell, and Lando Norris, who have previously tasted success in the Max series on their path to Formula 1 stardom."I'm overjoyed and thrilled to have won the race," exclaimed Mir after making history. "It's my first victory in Europe, and we've all worked incredibly hard for this. My team, DHR, has been incredibly supportive, my family has been unwavering in their encouragement, and I'm grateful for the support from India and beyond. I hope to maintain this momentum and continue to raise India's flag high."In the final race, Mir encountered several racing incidents that hindered her progress, ultimately finishing in 12th place. However, her victory in Race 2 has cemented her status as the world's leading female karting driver in her age group.Next month, Mir will showcase her skills at the prestigious Kartmasters in the UK. She is also a nominee for the Iron Dames Young Talent event in Italy later this month, where she is one of only 11 girls worldwide, the sole Asian, and the youngest among the shortlisted candidates.

PR Sreejesh's illustrious career has been intertwined with the resurgence of Indian men's hockey. After the team's dismal failure to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Sreejesh emerged as a beacon of hope during a tumultuous period.London 2012: A Disappointing DebutSreejesh's Olympic debut in London 2012 proved to be a bitter disappointment. India lost all their group stage matches, finishing bottom of the pile with a dismal goal difference of -11. The team's struggles were evident, and the future seemed bleak.Rio 2016: A Glimmer of HopeFollowing the London debacle, Sreejesh became a pivotal figure in the Indian dressing room. The team's fortunes improved, winning the Asian Games gold medal in 2014 and a bronze medal at the 2015 FIH Hockey World League Final. Sreejesh was appointed captain ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics, where India recorded two group stage wins and reached the quarterfinals.Tokyo 2020: A Historic TriumphIndia entered the Tokyo Olympics with high expectations but also a history of underperformance. A 7-1 thrashing by Australia in their opening match raised concerns. However, the team rallied, winning all their subsequent group stage matches. Sreejesh's leadership and vocal presence were instrumental in India's resurgence.In the semifinals, India faced eventual gold medallists Belgium and lost. But in the bronze medal match against Germany, the team displayed remarkable resilience, coming back from a 3-1 deficit to win 5-4. Sreejesh's Olympic dream was finally realized, and Indian hockey fans celebrated their first Olympic medal since 1980.

Olympic medalist Vijay Kumar believes that both personal and national coaches play crucial roles in an athlete's development. He emphasizes that personal coaches deserve recognition for their contributions in nurturing athletes to the elite level.Kumar cites the examples of Manu Bhaker and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, who have opted for personal coaches in preparation for the Paris Olympics. He argues that this trend is not detrimental and that personal coaches should receive due credit.According to Kumar, national coaches provide the final polish and guidance, helping athletes improve their scores and manage pressure in international competitions. However, he stresses that personal coaches lay the foundation and bring athletes to the point where they can benefit from national coaching.Kumar believes that the shooting federation should appoint coaches with proven international experience and success. These coaches can impart valuable knowledge and techniques to their wards, enabling them to handle challenging situations and perform at their best.He also criticizes the Indian shooting team's preparations for Paris, suggesting that a clear roadmap should have been established six months prior to the event. Kumar emphasizes the importance of timely trials, foreign exposure, and specialized training in the lead-up to major competitions.While acknowledging the growing trend of fitness and mental trainers, Kumar expresses some skepticism about their necessity. He believes that a strong upbringing and competitive environment can provide athletes with the necessary mental fortitude.Kumar highlights the importance of being surrounded by talented athletes, as it fosters inspiration and motivation. He credits his growth as a shooter to the presence of exceptional marksmen at the Army Marksmanship Unit in Mhow.

Sanjay, a formidable defender and drag-flicker from Dabra village near Hisar, Haryana, is set to make his debut at the Olympics in Paris. Emerging as one of the most promising players in Indian hockey, Sanjay's journey from a small village to the grand stage of the Olympics is a testament to his hard work and dedication.Sanjay first caught the nation's attention during the 2021 Junior Hockey World Cup, where he emerged as the highest scorer for India with eight goals, including two hat-tricks. His outstanding performance not only made him the third-highest scorer in the tournament but also showcased his potential as a future star in Indian hockey.Sanjay made his senior team debut in June 2022 and quickly made an impact by helping India win the inaugural FIH Hockey5s. His contributions to the team have been significant, and his skills as a drag-flicker have been instrumental in securing crucial victories.He has also participated in major tournaments such as the 19th Asian Games 2022 in Hangzhou, China and the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023, where the team clinched Gold medals. His performance in the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021 earned India a 4th position, and he secured a silver medal in the 3rd Youth Olympic Games 2018.In recognition of his talents, Sanjay was awarded the Hockey India Jugraj Singh Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Men) Under-21 in 2021.Now Sanjay's complete focus is on the Paris Olympics and he aims to take it one game at a time and not get ahead of himself. "I will focus on the Olympics by taking it one game at a time and giving my 100 percent in each match. My goal is to stay fully present and committed, ensuring that I contribute to my team's success with every opportunity on the field. This is the moment I have worked so hard for, and I intend to make the most of it," he stated.Further revealing his ultimate dream as a player, Sanjay said, "Ever since I picked up a hockey stick, I have dreamed of winning Gold medals at the Olympics and the World Cup. Representing my country on these prestigious platforms and bringing home the Gold has always been my ultimate goal. I am deeply committed to making my nation proud through my dedication and hard work on the field."India will commence their Paris 2024 Olympics campaign on July 27, when they take on New Zealand in their first pool B match at 2100hrs IST.

Building trust and fostering team spirit have been paramount for India's men's hockey coach Craig Fulton since taking over last year. As the team sets its sights on surpassing the Olympic bronze achieved in Tokyo, Fulton is confident that his efforts will bear fruit.Upon assuming the role 14 months ago, Fulton emphasized the importance of developing a strong team bond and enhancing defensive strategies. "My main focus has been on building trust among the group," he stated. To bolster his efforts, he enlisted the services of renowned mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton, who played a pivotal role in India's 2011 ODI World Cup triumph. Upton remains with the team for the Paris Olympics.As part of their preparations, the team participated in a three-day camp with Swiss explorer and adventurer Mike Horn in Switzerland before arriving at the Paris Games Village on July 20. "I simply put in my plans which are short as well as long term and have worked according to them," Fulton explained. "We had a good preparation, we had a nice three-day training camp with Mike Horn in Switzerland.""We worked on trust-building, team spirit and unity there and then we headed for Netherlands for nine-day training, where we played a few practice matches," he elaborated.India broke a 41-year-old medal jinx at the Tokyo Olympics under the guidance of Australian coach Graham Reid. However, Reid resigned last year after India's disappointing performance in the World Cup.Fulton acknowledges the heightened expectations following the Tokyo performance. "Yes, I know about the expectations and we are fully prepared for that. India has a rich hockey legacy and my only endeavour is to continue the legacy," he said. "I can't predict anything (about podium finish) right now because there is hardly any gap between the 12 teams in Olympics. Our first three matches are very important and we are focussing on that now."India's 16-member squad in Paris comprises 11 players who were in Tokyo, while five will be making their Olympic debut. But for Fulton, the key lies in finding the right team combination. It would be the fourth Olympics for veteran goalkeeper P R Sreejesh, who will retire at the end of the Games."It doesn't matter there are 11 experienced and five new players, what matters for me is who is playing well in the company of whom," said the 49-year-old, who was assistant coach of Belgium's 2018 World Cup-winning team as well as the gold-medal winning Tokyo Olympics side. "Balance on the pitch is crucial," he asserted.India are placed in a tough pool alongside mighty Australia, reigning gold medallists Belgium, Argentina, New Zealand and Ireland. The team will begin its campaign on July 27 against New Zealand, followed by matches against Argentina (July 29), Ireland (July 30), Belgium (August 1) and Australia (August 2)."On any day, anyone can beat the other but we just want to take it match by match. So, now our main focus is on New Zealand and from there, we will take it forward," Fulton concluded.Meanwhile, Hockey India on Tuesday named the core probable group for the men's national camp in SAI, Bengaluru for the forthcoming Asian Champions Trophy to be held in Hulunbuir City, China in September. The core group includes players who didn't make the final cut for Paris Olympics and also features players from the development group and the junior team. After returning from Paris, the players from the Olympic squad will also join the national camp on August 24 after a brief break. The camp will conclude on September 4.

The Indian contingent is gearing up for the 2024 Paris Olympics, with 117 athletes set to represent the nation. This marks a slight decrease from the 124 athletes who competed in Tokyo in 2021. India will be vying for a total of 95 medals across 69 events.A significant 61% of the Indian athletes will be making their Olympic debut in Paris, with 72 individuals experiencing the Games for the first time. The contingent's oldest member is tennis legend Rohan Bopanna, who will be making his third Olympic appearance at the age of 44.Athletics remains the largest contributor to the Indian contingent, with 29 athletes set to compete. Shooting has also made a strong showing, with India's shooters securing quotas in every category for the first time. This has resulted in a record 21 shooters representing the country.India will be competing in 16 sports disciplines, with 8 of them having produced medals for the nation in the past. Five returning medallists will be looking to add to their tally in Paris: Neeraj Chopra (javelin), PV Sindhu (badminton), Mirabai Chanu (weightlifting), Lovlina Borgohain (boxing), and the Indian men's hockey team.Parul Chaudhary and Manu Bhaker are the only two athletes who will be competing in multiple individual events. Chaudhary will participate in the women's 5000m run and 3000m steeplechase, while Bhaker will compete in the women's 10m air pistol and 25m pistol.PV Sindhu stands out as the only Indian athlete to have won multiple individual Olympic medals. She is now aiming to become the first Indian to win individual medals at three consecutive Olympics. Aman Shehrawat is the sole Indian male wrestler who will be competing in Paris.

India's 117-member contingent has embarked on their journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics, carrying the hopes of a nation for Olympic glory. The contingent, representing 15 states and union territories, boasts a diverse array of athletes across various disciplines.Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion in men's javelin throw, is the star attraction of the team. His exceptional performance in Tokyo, where he clinched India's first-ever Olympic gold in athletics, has raised expectations for another podium finish in Paris.Other medal contenders include PV Sindhu, the two-time Olympic medalist in badminton, and Lovlina Borgohain, the bronze medalist in boxing at the Tokyo Games. Achanta Sharath Kamal, the veteran table tennis player, and Manu Bhaker, the shooting prodigy, are also expected to make a strong impact.The contingent is well-represented across various sports. In archery, Deepika Kumari and Pravin Jadhav will lead the charge, while Mirabai Chanu will be the lone weightlifter in the team. The hockey team, both men's and women's, will be aiming to improve upon their performances in Tokyo.The contingent's distribution across states and union territories reflects the growing popularity of sports in India. Haryana, with 24 athletes, has the largest representation, followed by Punjab with 19 and Tamil Nadu with 13.The Indian contingent will face stiff competition in Paris, but they are determined to make their mark on the global stage. With a mix of experience and youthful exuberance, the team is confident of delivering a memorable performance and bringing home medals for India.

Paris Olympics: France Declares Readiness as Athletes ArriveFrench President Emmanuel Macron has expressed confidence in France's preparedness to host the upcoming Paris Olympics, which will mark the return of the Games to the French capital after nearly a century. Macron visited the Athletes' Village on Monday, four days before the official opening ceremony.The Games will utilize temporary venues constructed in the heart of Paris, including the Athletes' Village in Seine-Saint-Denis, the poorest area in France. Macron emphasized the transformative impact the Olympics will have on the region, promising to return after the Games to witness its legacy.The Athletes' Village, comprising 40 low-rise housing blocks, has been built using innovative construction techniques that prioritize sustainability. However, some Olympic delegations have expressed concerns about the lack of air conditioning and have ordered portable cooling units.International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach also visited the Village, where thousands of athletes and officials are arriving. The complex is expected to house up to 14,500 individuals at the peak of the Games.Meanwhile, France's Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne has welcomed the Israeli delegation to the Games, following a controversial call by a French lawmaker to exclude them due to the conflict in Gaza. Sejourne condemned the statement as "irresponsible and dangerous," assuring the security of the Israeli delegation.In a significant development, Team USA has named basketball superstar LeBron James as their male flagbearer for the opening ceremony. James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, expressed his honor in representing the United States on the global stage.The opening ceremony on Friday will feature a spectacular display of 6,000-7,000 athletes sailing down the Seine River on barges and boats, passing by iconic landmarks such as Notre-Dame Cathedral.However, Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar has withdrawn from the Games due to extreme fatigue after winning his third Tour de France title.

Abhinav Bindra, the legendary Indian shooter who etched his name in Olympic history as the first Indian to win an individual gold medal, has been bestowed with the prestigious Olympic Order. This accolade, the highest honor bestowed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), recognizes Bindra's exceptional contributions to the Olympic movement.Bindra, a member of the IOC Athletes Commission, is the first Indian to receive this coveted award. The decision to confer the Olympic Order on Bindra was made at the IOC Executive Board meeting in Paris on Saturday. The announcement was met with widespread acclaim from prominent figures in the sports world.In a letter dated July 20, 2024, IOC President Thomas Bach informed Bindra of the honor, stating, "It is with great pleasure that I inform you that the IOC Executive Board has today decided to award you with the Olympic Order for your outstanding services to the Olympic November."The award ceremony will take place during the 142nd IOC Session in Paris on August 10. Bach expressed his sincere congratulations to Bindra, saying, "May I take this opportunity to address you my most sincere congratulations on this award. Looking forward to seeing you in Paris."Among those who extended their congratulations to Bindra was Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Dr. Mandaviya hailed Bindra's achievement, saying, "Congratulations to @Abhinav_Bindra on being awarded the Olympic Order for outstanding contributions to the Olympic Movement! His achievement fills us with pride and is truly well-deserved. His name alone has inspired generations of shooters and Olympians."The official handle of IPL side Lucknow Super Giants also celebrated Bindra's honor, posting a photo of him winning India's maiden individual gold medal in men's 10m air rifle in Beijing 2008, accompanied by the caption, "History-maker, once again, Congratulations Abhinav Bindra."Bindra's Olympic Order award is a testament to his unwavering dedication to the Olympic movement and his exceptional achievements as an athlete. His legacy as a pioneer in Indian sports continues to inspire generations of athletes and sports enthusiasts alike.