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The 2024 Paris Olympics, set to commence on July 26th, will witness the participation of over 10,000 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees. India, aiming to surpass its record-breaking performance at Tokyo 2020, will field a contingent of 117 athletes, including medal favorites like Neeraj Chopra, PV Sindhu, and Mirabai Chanu.India's Olympic journey begins on July 25th with archery ranking rounds. The opening ceremony will take place on July 26th, followed by the commencement of events in badminton, boxing, shooting, and table tennis on July 27th. The Indian men's hockey team will face New Zealand in their first pool game on the same day.The Paris Olympics will be held across 33 venues in Paris, France, and French territories. Sports 18 and the Viacom 18 network will telecast the events live on television, while JioCinema will provide free live streaming.India's medal hopes rest on the shoulders of its star athletes. Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion in javelin throw, will be aiming to defend his title. PV Sindhu, the two-time Olympic medalist in badminton, will be vying for a podium finish once again. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, India's top-ranked badminton doubles pair, will also be among the medal contenders. Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who won a silver medal in Tokyo, will be looking to improve her performance in Paris.The Indian contingent also includes promising young athletes like shooter Manu Bhaker, wrestler Bajrang Punia, and boxer Nikhat Zareen. With a strong team and a supportive environment, India is poised to make a significant impact at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The 2024 Paris Olympics promises to be a spectacle of athleticism and innovation, with the introduction of new sports and exciting format changes.Breaking: A New Dance on the Olympic StageBreaking, the electrifying dance form, makes its Olympic debut in Paris. Originating as a street dance, breaking has evolved into a competitive sport, showcasing incredible athleticism and creativity.Kayak Cross: A Race Against the CurrentCanoe slalom welcomes a new format with kayak cross. Four athletes race head-to-head from a ramp, navigating obstacles and battling for the finish line. This marks the first time canoeing features direct competition between participants.Returning Favorites: Surfing, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, and 3x3 BasketballSurfing returns to the Olympics, with the events taking place in the idyllic waters of Tahiti. Skateboarding, sport climbing, and the fast-paced 3x3 basketball also make a comeback, promising thrilling performances.Other Changes: Second Chances and Gender InclusivityTrack and field events from 200m to 1500m will offer a second chance for athletes who miss the semifinals. A repechage heat will allow "lucky losers" to compete for a spot in the next round.Artistic swimming welcomes men for the first time, promoting gender inclusivity in the sport. Women's boxing gains a new weight class, while men's events lose one. Weightlifting classes have been reduced from 14 to 10.In shooting, the mixed skeet team event replaces the mixed team trap event, providing a new challenge for competitors.

Neeraj Chopra, India's reigning Olympic javelin throw champion, is in the final stages of his preparations for the Paris Games, and his coach, Klaus Bartonietz, has dismissed concerns about his fitness.Chopra has been troubled by an adductor niggle in recent months, but Bartonietz insists that the issue is now resolved. "Everything is according to plan. At the moment, no issue with that (adductor niggle), it's fine, it looks good, hoping to remain like that till the Olympics," Bartonietz told PTI.The 26-year-old Chopra has had a mixed season in terms of fitness, withdrawing from the Ostrava Golden Spike in May as a precautionary measure. However, he made a strong comeback by winning gold at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland in June with a throw of 85.97m.Chopra opted out of the Paris Diamond League on July 7, but Bartonietz said that the event was never a part of his competition calendar this year.With just two weeks to go until the Olympic qualification round, Chopra is intensifying his training. "It's just over two weeks left in the Olympics, so the intensity of training is high. He is having full throwing sessions," Bartonietz said.Chopra's training routine includes sprinting, jumping, throwing, and weightlifting sessions. Bartonietz said that the approach is similar to the one adopted before the Tokyo Olympics.Chopra has competed in only three events ahead of the Paris Games, compared to five before Tokyo. Bartonietz does not see this as a disadvantage, saying that the number of competitions is not a determining factor."You can compete in many events or not, it's tough to say what is enough (number of events). It depends on the situation," Bartonietz said.Bartonietz also addressed Chopra's decision to skip the Paris Diamond League, saying that there were "some minor issues" that made it not worth the risk.While Bartonietz is confident in Chopra's abilities, he is cautious about predicting his chances of a medal. "Olympics is a high-stakes and high-pressure situation and anything can happen. Guessing a medal on the basis of statistics is difficult," he said.Bartonietz identified Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic, Julian Weber of Germany, Anderson Peters of Grenada, and Oliver Helander of Finland as potential medal contenders.The Olympic Stadium in Paris will have purple-colored Mondo tracks, which are believed to provide faster timings. Bartonietz said that this could benefit Chopra, but it is ultimately a matter of using the speed effectively.

Shooting has witnessed a surge in popularity in India, thanks to the heroics of Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang. The sport has become as popular as cricket among Indian fans, and the country has secured quotas in every Olympic shooting category for the first time.However, the selection process for the Paris Olympics 2024 has been controversial. Trap shooter Bhowneesh Mendiratta, who had bagged India's first Paris quota, missed out on a berth after the national trials. Prithviraj Tondaiman was given the quota in his place.Other notable exclusions from the squad include former world champion Rudrankksh Patil, Tokyo Olympian Divyansh Singh Panwar, and Asian Games medallist Ashi Chouksey. Patil has expressed his disappointment, citing the inexperience of Sandeep Singh, who has been selected ahead of him.Gagan Narang, India's Chef de Mission for the Paris Olympics, has defended the selection process, calling it "fair" and "equal." He believes that the Covid-19 outbreak has negatively impacted India's shooters, as many lost their momentum and form.Narang has high hopes for his students, Elavenil Valarivan and Ramita Jindal, who will be representing India in Paris. He believes that they have the potential to perform well at the Olympics.Overall, India has a strong shooting contingent for the Paris Olympics. The team includes experienced shooters like Manu Bhaker and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, as well as promising young talents like Valarivan and Jindal. The team will be hoping to make a mark on the world stage and bring home medals for India.

India's Olympic medal tally officially stands at 35, but the legitimacy of its first two medals, won by Norman Pritchard in 1900, remains shrouded in doubt.Pritchard, an athlete residing in Kolkata (then Calcutta), claimed silver medals in the 200m and 200m hurdles at the Paris Olympics. However, his dual representation of the London Athletic Club and the Bengal Presidency Athletic Club raised questions about his nationality.The official Olympic program listed Pritchard as representing "England" in the 100m and "British India" in the 100m hurdles. Historian Ian Buchanan suggested that Pritchard participated independently, while The New York Times referred to him as an "Englishman."After his Olympic success, Pritchard served as secretary of the Indian Football Association but later moved permanently to the United States. He pursued an acting career under the name "Norman Trevor."Despite the official recognition of Pritchard's medals as belonging to India, his origins and conflicting reports from the 1900 Olympics cast a shadow over their legitimacy. Some argue that Pritchard's medals should be attributed to England or to an independent entity, given his dual representation and the lack of a clear national affiliation.The mystery surrounding Pritchard's medals highlights the complexities of national identity and representation in the early days of the Olympic Games. It also raises questions about the criteria for determining which country an athlete represents, especially in cases of dual citizenship or multiple club affiliations.

South Sudan's basketball team, ranked 33rd in the world, nearly pulled off a historic upset against a star-studded United States team in an Olympic warm-up game in London on Saturday. The South Sudanese led by 14 points at halftime and held a late lead before LeBron James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, sank the game-winning layup with eight seconds remaining.James finished with a game-high 25 points, while Joel Embiid, who became a US citizen in 2022, added 14 points and seven rebounds. Anthony Davis came off the bench to contribute 15 points and 11 rebounds.For South Sudan, Marial Shayok led the way with 24 points, while Carlik Jones had 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. J.T. Thor, who plays for the NBA's Charlotte Hornets, sank a three-pointer with 20 seconds remaining to give South Sudan a 100-99 lead.However, James's late heroics prevented South Sudan from pulling off one of the greatest shocks in international basketball."The ending was good for us -- just to feel that, to feel what it's going to feel like in Paris," said US coach Steve Kerr. "Good experience for us. Good reminder that when we play against teams, it's the biggest experience of their lives and we have to expect everyone to play like that."Kerr admitted that he did not prepare his team adequately for South Sudan's challenge. "I did not do a great job of preparing my team," he said. "We did not focus enough on what they are capable of and that's on me."James, a two-time Olympic champion and four-time NBA champion, emphasized the importance of continuous improvement for the US team. "We have to continue to take a step forward," he said. "A lot of these teams that we're playing have been practicing either one month or months in advance and we have maybe two weeks together."South Sudan's performance was a testament to their growing talent and potential. They will face the United States again in the Olympics group stages on July 31 at Lille.

The 2024 Paris Olympics promises to be a spectacle like no other, with the opening ceremony taking place on the Seine River for the first time in history. Over 200 delegations of athletes will embark on an armada of boats, traversing the city's iconic waterway.India will be represented in 16 sports disciplines in Paris, with the government investing heavily to enhance the medal tally. The sports ministry has allocated significant funds to support the nation's Olympic hopefuls:* Neeraj Chopra (Javelin Throw): The reigning Olympic champion has received ₹5.72 crores for training at SAI NSNIS in Patiala and Europe. He aims to defend his title in Paris.* Indian Men's Hockey Team: After ending India's 41-year medal drought with a bronze in Tokyo, the team has received ₹41.81 crores for training at SAI NCOE in Bengaluru.* Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty (Badminton Men's Doubles): Training at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad, the duo has received ₹5.62 crores and will be vying for gold.* PV Sindhu (Badminton): With a silver from Rio 2016 and bronze from Tokyo 2020, Sindhu has received ₹3.13 crores for training at the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy in Bengaluru. She will be aiming for gold in Paris.* Mirabai Chanu (Weightlifting): Despite injuries, Chanu has received ₹2.74 crores for training at SAI NSNIS in Patiala. She will be hoping to improve upon her silver medal from Tokyo.* Manu Bhaker (Shooting): Bhaker will be looking to redeem herself after a disappointing Tokyo performance. She has received ₹1.68 crores for training at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi.* Sift Kaur Samra (Shooting): After winning India's first-ever individual shooting Asiad gold in Hangzhou, Samra has received ₹1.63 crores for training. She will be aiming to replicate her success in Paris.* Rohan Bopanna (Tennis): The tennis legend has received ₹1.56 crores for training. At 44 years old, he will be making a comeback in Paris.* Manika Batra (Table Tennis): Batra has received ₹1.30 crores for training. She will be hoping to secure a medal or put up a strong performance in Paris.* Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borogohain (Boxing): Zareen has finally earned her Olympic debut, while Borogohain has an Olympic bronze to her name. They have received ₹91.71 lakhs and ₹81.76 lakhs respectively for training.* Vinesh Phogat (Wrestling): In her third Olympics, Phogat has received ₹70.45 lakhs for training.

Aman Balgu, Manika Batra's coach, has witnessed her journey from a rising junior to a seasoned star. Their partnership has been marked by both challenges and triumphs, with Balgu playing a pivotal role in shaping Manika's mindset and approach to the game.When Manika approached Balgu in 2022, she was facing setbacks and seeking a fresh perspective. Balgu's unconventional approach, which emphasizes adaptability and reducing perfectionism, has resonated with Manika. He has helped her become more open to new strategies and trust her instincts.Balgu's coaching philosophy extends beyond technical guidance. He creates a supportive environment by limiting discussions about flaws before tournaments, allowing Manika to focus on her strengths. He also maintains regular contact with her family and friends to ensure they provide positive reinforcement.Balgu's understanding of Manika's personality has been crucial. He recognizes her free-spirited nature and encourages her to embrace her individuality. This has led to improved relationships with teammates and a more positive outlook.Despite their close partnership, Balgu and Manika have their disagreements. However, these discussions have often led to innovative solutions. Manika also relies on her sparring partner, Kirill Barabanov, for support. She describes Balgu as her "strategic mastermind" and Kirill as her "rock in high-pressure moments."Together, Balgu and Manika have achieved significant success. Manika has secured her career-best win and highest ranking under Balgu's guidance. Their partnership has not only benefited Manika but has also provided Balgu with valuable experience in international tournaments.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri secured a historic front-row lockout for McLaren at the Hungarian Grand Prix, marking the team's first such feat since 2012. Norris claimed pole position with a blistering lap of 1:15.227, edging out his teammate by a mere 0.022 seconds.Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, had to settle for third place, despite a valiant effort in the tense wet-dry qualifying session. The Dutchman was just three-hundredths of a second behind Norris, while Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top five.Charles Leclerc, in the second Ferrari, qualified sixth, ahead of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin. Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda, both driving for Red Bull, secured ninth and tenth positions, respectively.Norris's pole position was his second in four races and the third of his career. The 24-year-old Briton is eager to challenge Verstappen for the championship title and believes this pole position is a step in the right direction."I'm very happy with that," said Norris. "It wasn't easy at all in difficult conditions, so ending up on top is the best for us all and a great result for the team."Piastri, who is making his Formula 1 debut this season, was thrilled with his second-place finish. "It's the first 1-2 for McLaren for a long time and an amazing result for us," he said.Verstappen acknowledged the challenge he faced in qualifying. "I tried," he said. "We have been behind the whole weekend and I tried to make it as close as possible, but it wasn't enough."The qualifying session began in cooler weather with light rain falling. McLaren's Norris and Piastri were among the first to take to the track on soft slick tires. Sergio Perez of Red Bull suffered a setback when he crashed into the wall at Turn Eight, resulting in a red-flag stoppage.After a brief delay, the action resumed with Perez hanging on in ninth position. However, he ultimately failed to advance to Q2, marking his fourth Q1 exit in six outings. George Russell of Mercedes also struggled in Q1, finishing 17th and out.In Q2, Sainz initially set the pace, but Hamilton and Verstappen soon took over. Norris eventually claimed the top spot with a lap time of 1:15.540. Hamilton struggled to survive in 10th, while Nico Hulkenberg of Haas, Valtteri Bottas of Sauber, Alex Albon of Williams, Logan Sargeant, and Kevin Magnussen missed the cut to the top-ten shootout.In the final Q3 session, Norris and Verstappen battled for pole position. Norris ultimately prevailed with a lap time of 1:15.227, despite rain beginning to fall. Tsunoda crashed at Turn Five, prompting a red-flag stoppage. The session resumed with limited time remaining, but only Ricciardo improved his time to take ninth from his teammate.