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The Indian men's hockey team has arrived in Paris, France, ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics. The team's arrival marks the beginning of India's Olympic dreams and the men's hockey team's quest for its first gold medal since 1980.The Indian team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, has been training hard for the Olympics and is determined to make a strong showing in Paris. The team has a rich Olympic history, having won 12 Olympic medals, including 8 golds, 1 silver, and 3 bronze medals.India will begin its Olympic campaign on July 27 when it takes on New Zealand in its first pool B match. The team will then face Argentina, Ireland, Belgium, and Australia in the group stage. A top-four finish will ensure that India advances to the knockout stages.The Indian team is confident of its chances of winning a medal in Paris. The team has a good mix of experience and youth, and it is led by a strong captain in Harmanpreet Singh. The team is also well-coached by Graham Reid, who has a proven track record of success.The Indian men's hockey team is one of the most successful teams in the world. The team has won the World Cup three times and the Champions Trophy eight times. The team is also the reigning Asian Games champion.The Indian team is hoping to add to its medal tally in Paris. The team is determined to win its first gold medal since 1980 and to make the country proud.

Shubhankar Sharma, the Indian golf sensation, has turned the tables on Royal Troon Golf Club after enduring a tumultuous start to The Open Championship. On Saturday, in the third round played under relatively favorable conditions, Sharma unleashed a blistering four-under par 67, significantly improving his position heading into the final round.The conditions were a stark contrast to the relentless battering Sharma faced in the first two rounds. Thursday's rain and wind gave way to Friday's gusts reaching almost 50 kilometers per hour. Sharma's group bore the brunt of the worst weather, but he remained undeterred."I made the most of the conditions today," said Sharma. "I got off to a hot start and hit it really well. I was struggling with energy after yesterday, but I'm happy with my round."Despite the sun's absence, Sharma made hay on the course, producing eight birdies. Royal Troon remained a formidable foe, however, and a double bogey on the 15th hole was the only blemish on his day.Undeterred, Sharma responded with a spectacular 30-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole and another birdie on the 18th following a pinpoint iron shot. He also had a chance on the difficult par-3 17th hole, where his birdie putt from 19 feet shaved the cup."I'm not disappointed with the double bogey," said Sharma. "We just got a bad ruling there. I'm delighted with my score."Sharma's resilience is a testament to his character. He secured his spot at The Open this year with an eighth-place finish at Royal Liverpool last year, where he played a battling final round in heavy rain without making a single bogey."Royal Troon is a much tougher course," said Sharma. "But I'm happy I knuckled down and played well yesterday for a one-over. It makes the birthday celebrations much better than doing it after a missed cut."

The upcoming Paris Olympics, a highly anticipated sporting event, has cast a shadow over France's financial expectations. Despite the country's rich sporting heritage and status as a popular tourist destination, the Olympics have failed to generate the anticipated surge in tourism.Hosting the Olympics has historically been a lucrative endeavor for host nations, boosting tourism and providing a financial windfall. However, France is facing a different reality. The country has invested heavily in infrastructure and security for the event, but the return on investment has been disappointing.According to a report in the Telegraph, Paris 2024 is becoming a financial burden for France. Tourism has not increased significantly, and hotel bookings, flights, and tourist advisors are reporting a decline. Air France is expected to lose €180 million in the current quarter due to reduced travel to France during the Olympics.International travelers are avoiding France during the Olympics, fearing overcrowding and inflated prices. This is a significant blow to the country's tourism industry, which has always been a major economic driver.President Emmanuel Macron's decision to host the Olympics in Paris required a massive investment of €7.5 billion. However, the expected financial benefits have not materialized. Hotel bookings are dismal, and occupancy rates are below the levels seen in July 2023. Hotel prices are also falling, indicating a lack of demand.If the current trend continues, France faces a financial crisis despite hosting one of the world's largest sporting events. The country's hopes of an economic boost from the Olympics have been dashed, leaving it with a significant financial burden.

Deepika Kumari, India's ace archer, is embarking on her fourth Olympic journey, balancing the demands of motherhood and her unwavering pursuit of an elusive Olympic medal. After giving birth to her daughter Vedika in December 2022, Deepika faced immense physical challenges, including muscle stiffness and the inability to lift her 19-kg bow.Undeterred, she embarked on a rigorous rehabilitation program, gradually regaining her strength and agility. With the support of her husband and fellow archer Atanu Das, Deepika returned to competition, dominating the National Games and earning a spot under the guidance of legendary Korean coach Kim Hyung-Tak.Despite her impressive feats, Deepika remains focused on the present, treating the Olympics as any other competition. She acknowledges the pressure surrounding the event in India but emphasizes the importance of maintaining a clear mind.In Paris, Deepika will face a formidable challenge in 21-year-old South Korean Lim Si-hyeon, who has defeated her twice this year. However, Deepika remains unfazed, confident in her preparation and the support of her team.Paris holds special memories for Deepika, where she won a hattrick of gold medals in the 2021 World Cup. However, she is determined to approach the Olympics with a fresh perspective, focusing on securing a favorable draw in the qualification round.In the mixed team event, Deepika is likely to partner with Dhiraj Bommadevara, who has been in exceptional form, winning 10 international medals in the past year. Their combination could prove to be India's best chance for a medal in the recurve mixed team event.Deepika's journey to Paris has been marked by resilience and determination. She has overcome physical challenges, embraced motherhood, and remained focused on her Olympic dream. As she prepares to step onto the world's biggest sporting stage, Deepika carries the hopes of a nation and the unwavering support of her family.

The upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics will witness a historic moment for India, as 24 personnel from the armed forces, including star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, will join the 117-strong Indian contingent. Notably, this marks the first time that female service athletes will participate in the Olympics, with Havildar Jaismine Lamboria (boxing) and CPO Ritika Hooda (wrestling) making history.Chopra, the reigning Olympic gold medalist, will once again be a medal contender after a string of impressive performances. He has secured gold medals at the 2023 Asian Games, 2023 World Athletics Championship, 2024 Diamond League, and 2024 Paavo Nurmi Games.Other notable service personnel participating in the Olympics include Sub Amit Panghal (boxing), CPO Tajinderpal Singh Toor (shot-put), Sub Avinash Mukund Sable (3000m steeplechase), and Sub Santhosh Kumar Tamilarasan (4X400M men's relay).The Indian Army has expressed pride in the participation of its athletes, stating that they "are renowned for their exceptional skills and past achievements on the world stage." Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi has interacted with the athletes via video conference to extend his support.The presence of these service personnel in the Indian contingent not only showcases their athletic prowess but also highlights the commitment of the armed forces to sports and fitness. Their participation is expected to inspire future generations of athletes and serve as a testament to the spirit of sportsmanship and national pride.

Olympic Athletes to Reap Financial Rewards in Paris 2024The upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris mark a significant shift in the financial landscape for athletes. In a departure from tradition, various federations have announced substantial cash rewards for medalists, adding a new dimension to the pursuit of Olympic glory.Traditionally, the Olympic Games have been devoid of cash prizes, with athletes competing solely for the honor of representing their countries and the prestige of winning medals. However, this year, the trend is changing. World Athletics, the governing body for track and field, has pledged a generous $50,000 reward for every gold medalist in its events. The International Boxing Association has followed suit, offering a staggering $100,000 to gold medalists across all categories.This move has been met with mixed reactions. Some federations, such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC), remain opposed to the idea of cash rewards, arguing that it goes against the spirit of Olympism and creates an unfair advantage for athletes in certain sports. However, many sporting bodies believe that athletes deserve to be compensated for their hard work and dedication."While it is impossible to put a marketable value on winning an Olympic medal, or on the commitment and focus it takes to even represent your country at an Olympic Games," said World Athletics president Sebastian Coe, "I think it is important we start somewhere and make sure some of the revenues generated by our athletes at the Olympic Games are directly returned to those who make the Games the global spectacle that it is."The financial incentives offered by federations are not limited to gold medalists. Silver and bronze medalists will also receive significant rewards, albeit smaller than the top prize. This move aims to recognize the achievements of all athletes who reach the podium, regardless of their medal color.In addition to the rewards announced by international federations, governments and national sporting federations have also traditionally offered cash prizes to their athletes for Olympic success. For example, the Indian government has reportedly offered 7.5 million rupees (about $90,000) to Olympic gold medalists, while the Indian Olympic Association has given athletes a separate reward of 10 million rupees (about $120,000).The introduction of cash rewards for Olympic athletes is a significant development that has the potential to reshape the financial landscape of the Games. While some may argue that it detracts from the purity of the Olympic spirit, others believe that it is a fair way to recognize and reward the hard work and dedication of athletes who represent their countries on the world's biggest sporting stage.

Renowned South Korean archery coach Baek Woong Ki has expressed his disappointment and frustration after being denied accreditation for the Paris Olympics. The coach, who has guided the Indian archery team for over a year, feels "humiliated and insulted" by the decision.Woong Ki, who played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian team, was not included in the list of six coaching staff submitted by the Archery Association of India (AAI) to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). Instead, two Indian coaches, Sonam T Shering Bhutia and Purnima Mahato, were given accreditation to stay in the Games Village.The Korean coach, who guided South Korea to two gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics, believes that his exclusion from the Olympic Games archery coach is a "big mistake" by the IOA. He has expressed his desire to end his tenure as head coach of the Indian team after the Paris Olympics."I do not want to continue anymore. I just want to go back to South Korea," Woong Ki told HT from Paris. "I have been preparing with the goal of helping India win a medal for the first time at the Paris Olympics. However, I believe that appointing a foreign coach but excluding (me) from the Olympic Games archery coach is a big mistake by the IOA and a decision that does not follow the original plan and goals."Woong Ki's absence is a significant blow to the Indian archery team, which has qualified for all five events at the Olympics. The team has been training hard under Woong Ki's guidance and has shown promising results, including winning silver medals in the men's and women's team events at the Asian Games.The AAI has reached out to IOA officials to find a solution, but no resolution has been found. The IOA has cleared 68 coaches and 50 support staff for 117 athletes, but the large contingent has made it difficult to accommodate all the coaches and support staff.The Indian archery team will begin its Olympic campaign on July 2 with the ranking rounds for all five events. The team will be hoping to make history and win India's first-ever archery medal at the Olympics.

LeBron James, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, is set to make his fourth Olympic appearance in Paris 2024. This will be his first Olympic appearance since 2012.Born in Akron, Ohio, James was a basketball prodigy from a young age. He led his high school team to multiple state championships and was named National Player of the Year in his sophomore year.After graduating high school, James was selected as the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He quickly established himself as one of the league's top players, winning Rookie of the Year honors in his first full season.James played for the Cavaliers for seven seasons, earning numerous individual awards including an MVP award. However, he was unable to lead the team to an NBA championship.In 2010, James joined the Miami Heat as a free agent. He won two NBA championships and two more MVP awards during his four-year stint with the Heat. He also led the United States to gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics.James returned to the Cavaliers in 2016 and led them to their first NBA championship in franchise history. He then signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 and won another NBA championship in his third season with the team.In February 2023, James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA's all-time leading scorer. He currently has over 38,000 career points.James is known for his exceptional athleticism, court vision, and leadership skills. He is considered one of the most complete players in NBA history.Speaking about his return to the Olympics, James said, "I think just timing. Timing's everything, and I think — you know, at this point in my career, I still, I have a lot to give, and Team USA has given a lot to me, so I feel like it's an opportunity for me to give back."James is also known for his philanthropic work and his commitment to giving back to his community. He has established the LeBron James Family Foundation, which supports various educational and youth development programs.

McLaren's Lando Norris stunned the field by outpacing reigning world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull to top the times in Friday's second free practice session for the Hungarian Grand Prix.Norris, who trails Verstappen by 84 points in the drivers' standings, clocked a blistering time of 1:17.788 to edge out his rival by 0.243 seconds. The Briton's performance was a testament to McLaren's progress this season, as they continue to challenge the established order.Ferrari's Carlos Sainz finished third, just one-tenth behind Norris, while Sergio Perez recovered from a slow start to take fourth for Red Bull. George Russell of Mercedes and Haas's Kevin Magnussen rounded out the top six.Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, aiming for a record-extending ninth Hungarian victory, could only manage seventh, ahead of Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, Williams' Alex Albon, and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso.The session began with Nico Hulkenberg setting the early pace for Haas, but it was Perez who emerged as the initial frontrunner for Red Bull. Verstappen, however, encountered brake issues and struggled to match his teammate's pace.Ferrari's Charles Leclerc suffered a setback when he lost control and crashed into the barriers at Turn Four, damaging his car and the advertising hoardings. The incident brought out the red flag for 14 minutes.Mercedes also faced challenges, with technology problems stemming from a global IT glitch affecting their pit-wall operations. Russell and Hamilton were forced to work with blank screens during the opening practice session.Despite the setbacks, the session showcased the competitiveness of the field, with eight different teams represented in the top ten. The close margins suggest a thrilling race is in prospect for Sunday.