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The Indian men's hockey team embarked on a rigorous training regimen in preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics. The team's journey began with a three-day mental toughness camp in Switzerland under the guidance of renowned adventurer Mike Horn. This camp aimed to instill resilience and determination in the players.Following the Swiss camp, the team traveled to the Netherlands for a series of practice matches. These matches provided valuable experience against top-tier opposition and allowed the players to fine-tune their strategies. The team's final destination before the Olympics will be Paris, where they are scheduled to arrive on July 20.Skipper Harmanpreet Singh expressed confidence in the team's preparations. He emphasized the importance of the upcoming experiences in ensuring that the players are "in the best state of mind and body before we begin our Olympic journey."The team's training regimen has been meticulously designed to maximize their physical and mental capabilities. The Swiss camp focused on developing mental toughness through extreme challenges, while the practice matches in the Netherlands provided opportunities for tactical refinement.The Indian men's hockey team has a rich history of success at the Olympics, having won eight gold medals. The team's current squad is determined to add to that legacy and bring home another medal from Paris.

Singapore's Kevin Goh Wei Ming, the CEO of the Singapore Chess Federation, played a pivotal role in securing the hosting rights for the World Chess Championship between reigning champion Ding Liren and rising star D Gukesh. The championship will be held in Singapore later this year, marking the first time the event will be held in Southeast Asia since 1978.Goh's relationship with both players played a significant role in Singapore's successful bid. He has known Ding for several years and even played football with him during the Asian Indoor Games. Goh also contributed to Gukesh's path to greatness by losing to him in the 2018 Bangkok Open, helping Gukesh earn his first GM norm.Goh believes that Singapore's neutrality was a key factor in winning the bid over two Indian cities. He also credits the support of Sports Singapore, the government agency responsible for hosting major sporting events.The World Championship is expected to have a significant impact on chess in Singapore. Goh hopes that the event will inspire more interest in the game and highlight its benefits for different social groups. He also plans to create an immersive fan experience, including fan zones, master classes, and simultaneous exhibitions by chess legends.Goh acknowledges the potential for an influx of Indian chess fans and welcomes them to Singapore. He believes that the championship will be a great opportunity for Indian tourists to visit the country.Singapore has seen a surge in chess popularity since the pandemic. The number of school children participating in national age group tournaments has increased significantly. Goh attributes this growth to a shift in mindset among parents, who are now recognizing the benefits of chess for their children's development.Despite the growth, Singapore still faces challenges in terms of training and funding. Goh hopes that the World Championship will help attract more sponsors and support for chess development in the country.

Achanta Sharath Kamal, India's flagbearer for the upcoming Paris Olympics, is brimming with confidence as he prepares for his fifth Olympic appearance. The 41-year-old table tennis legend believes he is reaching new heights with each passing year and is determined to make his best performance yet.Despite a disappointing outing at the Asian Games last year, Sharath played a pivotal role in securing India's historic Olympic quota via world rankings. He attributes his success to his unwavering dedication and the guidance of his Italian coach, Massimo Costantini."I'm happy to be scaling new heights with each passing year, both physically and mentally," Sharath said. "I hope the best is yet to come."Sharath's Olympic journey began in Athens 2004, where he was a 21-year-old newcomer. Now, with four Olympics under his belt, he dreams of a podium finish in Paris."Back then, I didn't know what getting into the Olympics was," he said. "But I have built up into the player I am right now, and hopefully, in my fifth Olympics, I have a chance to get that medal."Sharath acknowledges that a podium finish will be an "uphill task," but he remains optimistic. He has implemented systematic training methods and undergone extensive sports science testing to optimize his performance."It's going to be very tough, but we are optimistic as well because with the kind of form all of us have been playing," he said. "The girls are going to go a long way in the Olympics, same for the boys. We want to do it."Sharath's unwavering determination and belief in his team make him a true inspiration for Indian sports. As he prepares for his fifth Olympic appearance, he is poised to make history and leave an unforgettable mark on the world stage.

Nisha Dahiya's journey to the Paris Olympics has been marked by resilience and determination. After a severe collarbone injury in 2022, she spent months in recovery, determined to qualify for the Games.Her unwavering spirit led her to the World Qualifiers in May, where she secured her spot in the 68kg category. This triumph came after a career plagued by injuries, a doping ban, and a mistaken identity that falsely announced her death.Nisha's Olympic dream began a decade ago, inspired by Sakshi Malik's Commonwealth Games medal. Despite setbacks, she persevered, winning bronze at the U-23 World Championships and silver at the Asian Championships.Injuries have been a constant challenge, but Nisha's unwavering belief in her abilities has kept her going. She credits her physio from Reliance Foundation for her recovery and her move to the Inspire Institute of Sports for her improved training.Under the guidance of Iranian coach Amir Tavakolian, Nisha has honed her defensive skills and mental strength. She recently trained in Hungary, sparring with world-class wrestlers to overcome her initial hesitation.Sakshi Malik remains a source of support, offering encouragement and advice. Nisha's determination and the support of her team have fueled her journey to the Paris Olympics, where she aims to make her mark on the world stage.

The modern Olympic Games, a revival of the ancient Greek tradition, were born on April 6, 1896, in Athens. Baron Pierre de Coubertin's vision of international sporting competition came to fruition with the first Games in 1896, featuring 13 participating countries.The upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games, scheduled for July 26 to August 11, and the Paralympic Games, from August 28 to September 8, promise an unforgettable experience.Venues:Paris will host the majority of events, including fencing and taekwondo at the Grand Palais, beach volleyball and blind football at the Stade Eiffel, and swimming, triathlon, and cycling at the Pont Alexandre III. Historic stadiums like Parc des Princes, Stade de France, and Stade Roland Garros will also host events.Outside Paris, football matches will be played in Bordeaux, Nantes, Lyon, Saint-Etienne, Nice, and Marseille. Handball matches will take place at the Pierre de Mauroy stadium in Lille, while sailing events will be held at the Marina of Marseille. The exceptional Teahupo'o wave in Tahiti will host the surfing competition.Tickets:Tickets for the Olympic and Paralympic Games are available for purchase at paris24tickets.com and through the 'Paris 2024 Tickets' app. Resale of tickets is only permitted through the official Paris 2024 resale platform.Transportation:During the Games, several metro stations and roads will be closed. The blue and red perimeters will be accessible to pedestrians, cyclists, and skateboard and scooter users. Vélib' self-service bicycles will remain available, and cargo bikes may access the red perimeter after inspection.Accommodation:Book your accommodation early to secure a place near the Games. Airbnb, the worldwide partner of Paris 2024, offers options in the heart of the action. ALL, the Premium Partner, provides access to world-renowned hotel brands at guaranteed best prices.Free Events:Experience the excitement of the triathlon, marathon, and road cycling events for free. The triathlon events will take place in central Paris, while the marathon and marathon swimming events will cover routes between Paris and Versailles.Fan Zones:Paris City Hall will set up 25 fan zones where Olympic events will be broadcast on giant screens. These zones will also feature activities, refreshments, and awareness-raising spaces. Champions Park at Trocadéro will be open daily for fans to celebrate medal winners.Opening and Closing Ceremonies:The opening ceremony will take place on July 26, with the national delegations traveling along the Seine River in small boats. The closing ceremony will be held on August 11.New Disciplines:Paris 2024 will introduce four new sports: breaking (breakdancing), sport climbing, skateboarding, and surfing. Breaking will feature one-on-one battles between 16 participants, with judges awarding artistic scores.

Gautam Adani's #DeshKaGeetAtOlympics Campaign Inspires Indian Athletes for Paris 2024In a bid to rally support for India's athletes at the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024, Gautam Adani, the chairman of Adani Group, has launched the #DeshKaGeetAtOlympics campaign. The campaign aims to ignite patriotism and inspire the athletes as they prepare to represent India on the world's grandest sporting stage.The Paris Olympics, scheduled from July 26 to August 11, 2024, will witness the participation of 206 countries. India is expected to send a contingent of approximately 120 athletes to the French capital.Adani expressed his confidence in India's potential to achieve its best-ever medal tally at the quadrennial event. "Their relentless riyaaz and unwavering dedication truly embody the new indomitable spirit of India," he said. "I am confident that this year, we will achieve our greatest medal haul ever."The #DeshKaGeetAtOlympics campaign revolves around the athletes' unwavering commitment to training and their aspiration to hear the national anthem on the victory stand. The campaign's inspiring film showcases India's top sporting talent as they prepare for Paris, aiming to surpass the Tokyo Olympics' medal haul.Adani Group, the principal sponsor of the Indian contingent, has been supporting athletes in various sports since 2016. The group has provided support to over 28 athletes in disciplines such as boxing, wrestling, tennis, javelin throw, shooting, running, shotput, brisk walking, and archery.Notable beneficiaries of Adani Group's support include Commonwealth Games gold medalist wrestlers Ravi Kumar Dahiya and Deepak Punia, and boxer Amit Panghal. Dahiya and Punia also secured silver medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2023 Asian Games.The group's commitment to Indian sports extends beyond the Paris Olympics. Adani Group was also associated with the Indian contingents at the Tokyo Olympics, Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022, and Hangzhou Asian Games 2022 as official partners.

India's hockey dominance, once a source of national pride, waned significantly after the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Despite a brief resurgence with the gold medal victory, the decline continued unabated, leaving the men's team struggling to even qualify for the tournament.The 1984 Los Angeles Olympics marked the beginning of a barren run for the hockey team, which lasted over four decades. However, women's athletics witnessed some notable achievements. PT Usha narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in the 400m by a mere hundredth of a second. Shiny Abraham became the first Indian woman to reach the semi-finals of an Olympic event in the 800m.At the 1988 Seoul Olympics, India's medal hopes were dashed once again. The men's hockey team failed to progress beyond the group stage, finishing seventh. The 1992 Barcelona Games also proved fruitless, with the hockey team suffering another group stage exit.Finally, at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, India's medal drought came to an end. Leander Paes became the first Indian tennis player to win an Olympic medal, claiming bronze in the men's singles. His victory marked the first individual Olympic medal for India in 44 years and the first medal since the hockey team's gold in 1980.Despite the resurgence in tennis, India's overall Olympic performance remained lackluster. The country won only one medal in the 20th century after 1980, highlighting the decline in its sporting prowess.

Atiqa Mir, the 9-year-old Indian racing prodigy, has made history by becoming the only Asian and youngest karter shortlisted for the inaugural selection process of Iron Dames' Young Talents initiative. This prestigious program aims to nurture young female racers aged 8-13 who aspire to excel in motorsports.Iron Dames, a renowned all-women motorsports team, has achieved remarkable feats in World Endurance Racing, including becoming the first female team to triumph in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2023. Their Young Talents initiative seeks to cultivate the next generation of female racing stars.Atiqa's selection from a global pool of applicants is a testament to her exceptional talent and unwavering determination. The Iron Dames detection cell meticulously assessed each candidate's passion, motorsport experience, and career aspirations.The shortlisted participants represent a diverse range of nationalities, reflecting the global reach of the Iron Dames project. They will undergo rigorous scouting events that will evaluate their driving skills, commitment, work ethic, and alignment with Iron Dames' values.Atiqa's journey to this point has been marked by numerous victories and titles. She is the reigning IAME UAE National Vice-Champion and has competed successfully in various international karting championships. Her recent performance as Runner-up in Round 1 of the MECO RMC Indian National Karting Championship further solidifies her credentials.The evaluation process will be conducted with the expertise of PREMA Racing, an esteemed Italian motorsport team. Exceptional talents identified through this initiative will join the Iron Dames family, gaining access to personalized development programs, mentorship from seasoned professionals, and world-class training facilities.Atiqa's selection is a significant milestone for Indian motorsports. Her participation in the Iron Dames Young Talents initiative not only represents her own aspirations but also inspires countless young girls who dream of pursuing a career in racing.

Ukraine's Yaroslava Mahuchikh has etched her name into the annals of track and field history by setting a new world record in the women's high jump at the Diamond League meet in Paris. With just three weeks to go before the Paris Olympics, Mahuchikh soared over the bar at an astonishing height of 2.10 meters, eclipsing the previous record of 2.09 meters set by Bulgaria's Stefka Kostadinova in 1987.Mahuchikh's record-breaking feat was a testament to her unwavering determination and resilience. Despite facing the horrors of war in her native Ukraine, she has remained focused on her athletic pursuits. Her journey to the top has been marked by countless sacrifices, including a six-day car journey to Belgrade in 2022 to compete in the World Indoor Championships.The 22-year-old Ukrainian has been in scintillating form this season, claiming world indoor silver in Glasgow in March. Her victory in Paris is a culmination of years of hard work and dedication, and it has propelled her into the spotlight as one of the favorites for the Olympic gold medal.Mahuchikh's record-setting jump was met with thunderous applause from the packed-out crowd at the Stade Charlety. She sprinted arms held aloft in triumph, embracing her coaching team in a moment of pure joy. "It was really incredible, even more so because I only jumped 2.07 at my second attempt, and it was already my personal best," she said.Mahuchikh's achievement has not only inspired her fellow Ukrainians but has also sent shockwaves through the world of track and field. Her record-breaking performance is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Ukrainian people and a reminder that even in the face of adversity, dreams can be realized.