Others

The recent turmoil in Indian wrestling has had a significant impact on the sport's growth and development, according to Olympic medalist Yogeshwar Dutt. The sustained protests by top grapplers, including Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat, against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh led to a halt in wrestling activities for nearly a year and a half.This disruption had a cascading effect, with national camps and competitions being postponed. It adversely affected preparations for Olympic qualification events and, in turn, preparations for the Paris Games. Dutt expressed his disappointment with the situation, stating that it has severely affected the sport's growth and negatively impacted its followers.The turmoil also resulted in fewer Indian male wrestlers qualifying for the Games. In previous Olympics, three to five male wrestlers had qualified, but for Paris, only Aman Sehrawat has secured a spot. However, Dutt praised the women wrestlers for securing five spots, which he believes is a positive development.Dutt declined to comment on Vinesh's prospects at the Games, as she has moved up to the 50kg category. He expressed hope that the women wrestlers can win one or two medals, highlighting the experience of Antim Panghal and others.Dutt also emphasized the importance of continuing the tradition of Indian wrestlers winning medals at the Olympics. He expressed confidence that the six wrestlers representing India in Paris, including five women, can maintain this legacy.

Former Indian hockey captain and Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey has expressed high expectations for the team's performance at the upcoming Paris Olympics. He believes that if star drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh is in top form, India has a strong chance of improving upon their bronze medal finish at the Tokyo Olympics.Tirkey praised the team's young players and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, but emphasized the crucial role of drag-flickers in determining the team's success. "If our drag-flickers are on song, nothing can stop us," he said.The Indian team will be supported by renowned mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton, who played a key role in India's 2011 Cricket World Cup victory. Tirkey highlighted the importance of mental strength in a high-pressure event like the Olympics."Conceding goals in the last minute has troubled us in the past, but we've improved in this area," he said. "Mental training is crucial, and I'm confident that our support staff will help the team perform at their best in Paris."Tirkey also stressed the need for a solid defense, particularly in defending short corners. He praised Amit Rohidas's performance in this area at the Tokyo Olympics.With experienced head coach Craig Fulton at the helm, Tirkey believes India has the potential to challenge for a medal of a different color in Paris. "The team has gained a lot of confidence under his coaching," he said. "Every player knows that we can change the color of the medal this time."India faces a tough challenge in their pool, which includes top teams like Australia, Belgium, and Argentina. However, Tirkey is confident that the team can overcome these obstacles. "We have to do our duties in our specific roles on that given day," he said. "The team must be fit, and we are one of the fittest teams."India will begin its campaign on July 27 against New Zealand, followed by matches against Argentina, Ireland, Belgium, and Australia.

Indian Contingent Arrives at Paris Olympics VillageA total of 49 Indian athletes have arrived at the Games Village in Paris, marking the beginning of India's participation in the upcoming Olympics. The contingent includes the entire archery, table tennis, and hockey teams.The table tennis team, consisting of eight members, and the 19-member Indian men's hockey team have already reached the French capital. Additionally, 10 out of the 21 qualified shooters have arrived in Chateauroux. The archery team, comprising six members, along with two tennis players, a shuttler, a rower, and two swimmers, have also made their way to Paris.India will be represented by a total of 117 athletes at the Paris Olympics, including 70 men and 47 women. They will compete in 69 events across 95 medal categories. The contingent will also include a 140-strong support staff, bringing the total number of members to 257.This year's contingent is larger than the 119-member team that represented India at the Tokyo Olympics. In Tokyo, India achieved its best-ever performance, winning seven medals, including the historic gold medal in javelin throw by Neeraj Chopra. Chopra will be returning to Paris to defend his title.The Indian contingent is expected to continue its strong performance in Paris, with medal hopes in archery, shooting, wrestling, and badminton. The Olympics will commence on July 26th, and the Indian athletes are determined to make their mark on the global stage.

Randhir Singh, a seasoned sports administrator and former international shooter, is poised to become the first Indian president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The 77-year-old Singh, who has served as the acting chief of the continental sports body since 2021, emerged as the sole candidate for the top post in the upcoming September 8 elections.Singh's nomination was unanimously approved by the OCA Election Committee, chaired by Justice Rohinton Nariman, after reviewing the eligibility requirements and nominations submitted by member National Olympic Committees (NOCs). Singh was nominated by the Indian NOC and supported by 27 other OCA member NOCs.Singh's appointment as acting OCA chief came after Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Sabah stepped aside as president following a Geneva Court ruling that found him guilty in a forgery case. Singh had previously served as OCA Secretary General from 1991 to 2015 under Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Sabah.During his tenure as acting OCA chief, Singh oversaw the postponement of the Hangzhou Asian Games from 2022 to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Games were eventually held successfully, showcasing Singh's leadership qualities.Born in Patiala, Punjab, Singh is the son of Bhalindra Singh, a long-time IOC member and IOA president. He is also the grandson of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala. Singh's shooting career saw him win multiple national titles and become the first Indian shooter to win an Asian Games gold medal in 1978. He competed in five Olympic Games from 1968 to 1984 and won medals in four Asian Games.Singh's administrative experience includes serving as Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) from 1987 to 2012 and as vice chairman of the organizing committee for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. He was also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 2001 to 2014 and has been an honorary member since 2014.Singh's election as OCA president would mark a significant milestone for Indian sports and further strengthen the country's position in the global sporting arena.

Shubhankar Sharma, India's rising golf star, is brimming with confidence as he sets his sights on the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. The 28-year-old, who recently finished tied 19th at the Open Championship, believes a medal is within reach.Sharma's optimism stems from his impressive performance at Royal Troon, where he battled through challenging conditions to secure a top-20 finish. The experience, he says, has put him in an "Olympics mindset.""You could not take any shot for granted at The Open last week," Sharma said. "It was a grind from the first tee shot to the last putt, and that's what I would expect at the Olympics as well."Sharma is also buoyed by his recent form, which includes a top-5 finish at the Italian Open and 15 birdies over the weekend at the Scottish Open. He attributes his improvement to hard work and a renewed focus on his game."I have started seeing the reward for those hours," Sharma said. "I'm looking forward to Le Golf National."The Le Golf National, the venue for the Olympic golf tournament, is known for its challenging layout. Sharma believes his ball-striking ability will be crucial to success there."It can easily separate the boys from men," Sharma said. "You need to be a superior ball-striker to do well there, as you needed to do at Royal Troon."Sharma is aware of the underdog status of the Indian golf team, but he is determined to make a mark."I honestly think the Olympics can create a very different kind of motivation," Sharma said. "I am very aware of what kind of a spotlight a good performance in France by any one of us would put on Indian golf."Sharma will be joined by Gaganjeet Bhullar in the men's event, while Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar will represent India in the women's event. The golf competition at the Tokyo Olympics begins on Thursday, August 1.

The 2024 Paris Olympics will witness the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus as Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs). This decision was made due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The quotas for AINs were determined through existing qualification competitions and eligibility requirements.For the first time in Olympic history, the opening ceremony will not take place in a stadium. Instead, it will commence on the river Seine, with an armada of boats carrying over 200 delegations of athletes along the river through the city. The boats will depart from the Pont d'Austerlitz bridge and travel six kilometers before reaching the Pont d'Lena near the Eiffel Tower.The list of eligible AINs includes athletes from various sports, including cycling, gymnastics, taekwondo, weightlifting, wrestling, rowing, shooting, tennis, canoe, judo, and swimming.In cycling, Tamara Dronova, Alena Ivanchenko, Gleb Syritsa, and Hanna Tserakh have accepted invitations to participate as AINs. In gymnastics, Anzhela Bladtceva and Ivan Litvinovich will represent Russia and Belarus, respectively. Georgiy Gurtsiev will compete in taekwondo for Belarus.Siuzanna Valodzka and Yauheni Tsikhantsou will represent Belarus in weightlifting. In wrestling, Yahor Akulich, Uladzislau Kazlou, and Viyaleta Rebikava from Belarus have declined invitations, while Mahamedkhabib Kadzimagomedau has accepted.Yauheni Zalaty and Tatsiana Klimovich will compete in rowing for Belarus. Darya Chuprys and Aliaksandra Piatrova will represent Belarus in shooting.In tennis, Daniil Medvedev, Roman Safiullin, Ekaterina Aleksandrova, Mirra Andreeva, Pavel Kotov, and Diana Shnaider from Russia have accepted invitations. Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka from Belarus have declined.Aleksei Korovashkov, Zakhar Petrov, Olesia Romasenko, Uladzislau Kravets, and Yuliya Trushkina will represent Russia and Belarus in canoe.In judo, Valeri Endovitskii, Elis Startseva, Dali Liluashvili, and Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov from Russia have declined invitations.Evgenii Somov from Russia and Alina Zmushka, Ilya Shymanovich, and Anastasiya Shkurdai from Belarus will compete in swimming.

Neeraj Chopra, India's golden boy in javelin throw, is gearing up for the Paris Olympics 2024 with renewed determination. The Tokyo Olympics gold medalist has been working tirelessly to defend his title and bring home another Olympic gold for India.Chopra's journey to the top has been marked by consistent hard work and dedication. At the Tokyo Olympics, he defied expectations by topping the qualification round with a throw of 86.65m, ahead of seasoned contenders like Johannes Vetter and Jakub Vadlejch. In the final, he opened with a sensational throw of 87.03m, followed by an improved effort of 87.58m. These throws proved unmatchable, securing him the gold medal.However, Chopra's road to Paris has not been without challenges. This season, he has faced fitness issues, including an adductor niggle. However, his German coach has assured that Chopra is back on track and training at full intensity.Chopra's training regimen involves a combination of sprinting, jumping, throwing, and weightlifting. He emphasizes the importance of a fast runway and proper blocking technique for optimal performance.Despite his achievements, Chopra remains humble and hungry for improvement. He believes he has yet to reach his peak and is constantly striving to perfect his technique.As the Paris Olympics draw near, Chopra is confident and determined to make history once again. He is an inspiration to young athletes across India and a symbol of the country's growing prowess in track and field.

Indian table tennis star Manika Batra, wiser after her maiden Olympics appearance in Tokyo, is determined to take a measured approach in the upcoming Paris Games. Focused on taking one match at a time, she believes a medal will not be her primary concern in the initial rounds.Batra, who played a pivotal role in the women's team qualifying for Paris, has learned valuable lessons from her Tokyo experience. "I've learned from my mistakes and my mindset has changed," she said. "I'm calmer and more confident now."Her training regimen has emphasized stamina and agility, with the ultimate goal of challenging for a medal. However, she emphasizes the importance of a gradual approach. "I'll go round by round and not think of a medal too early," she said. "I'll give my best for my country."Batra's success in the WTT Saudi Smash, where she defeated world-class opponents, has boosted her confidence. She credits the growth of women's table tennis in India to platforms like Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), which provide young players with invaluable exposure."UTT has helped us practice and play matches against foreign players," Batra said. "We get good match practice."India will compete in both individual and team events in Paris. After the Olympics, Batra and other top Indian paddlers will join international stars in the UTT 2024, scheduled for August 22 to September 7 in Chennai.

Veteran goalkeeper and former India hockey captain P R Sreejesh has announced that the Paris Olympics will be his final international outing. The 36-year-old, a veteran of 328 International caps, three Olympic Games, and multiple Commonwealth Games and World Cups, will be playing in his fourth Olympic Games. The latest edition of the showpiece begins on July 26."As I prepare for my last dance in Paris, I look back with immense pride and forward with hope," Sreejesh said in a Hockey India press release."This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I am forever grateful for the love and support from my family, teammates, coaches, fans, and Hockey India. Thank you for believing in me," he added."My teammates have stood beside me through the tough and the ardent times. We all want to give our absolute best here in Paris and certainly, the desire is to change the color of our medal."Having made his debut at the 2010 World Cup, Sreejesh has been a part of various memorable wins for India, including gold in the 2014 Asian Games and a bronze medal in the 2018 Asiad in Jakarta-Palembang. He was also there in the joint-winning team of the Asian Champions Trophy in 2018, besides the 2019 FIH Men's Series Finals champion side in Bhubaneswar.Sreejesh's announcement comes as no surprise, as he has been contemplating retirement for some time now. He had earlier hinted that he might hang up his boots after the Tokyo Olympics, but decided to continue for one more year to help India qualify for the Paris Games.With Sreejesh's retirement, India will lose one of its most experienced and decorated players. He has been a key member of the Indian team for over a decade and has played a pivotal role in India's recent successes.Sreejesh's legacy will be defined by his exceptional goalkeeping skills, his leadership qualities, and his dedication to the sport. He is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world and has been instrumental in India's rise to the top of the international hockey rankings.