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With the Paris 2024 Olympics fast approaching, India's preparations are in full swing. The country's seven medals at Tokyo and success at the Hangzhou Asian Games have raised expectations, but the Olympics present a formidable challenge.Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur expressed confidence in India's athletes, stating that they will return with the country's best Olympic haul. The government has supported athletes' qualification and preparation, sanctioning over 350 foreign exposure trips.As of now, 58 Indian athletes have qualified for Paris 2024, including both the men's and women's Table Tennis teams, as well as quotas in women's Skeet Shooting and Equestrian (Dressage).The government has graded National Sports Federations (NSFs) based on performance and expectations, but fund cuts are not considered a measure for non-performance. Instead, the focus is on providing support to athletes through federations.India has expressed its intention to bid for the 2036 Olympics and 2030 Youth Olympics. The government is working closely with the Indian Olympic Association and the IOC Future Hosts Commission to make a strong recommendation in favor of the Indian bid.To achieve success in terms of medals, India is encouraging sports like cycling and swimming, which offer multiple medal opportunities. The government has increased its sports budget three times in the past decade, and corporate and private investments through CSR funds have also contributed to the development of Indian sport.The Khelo India Games play a crucial role in talent identification, and the upcoming KIRTI Platform aims to tap into untapped sporting talent across India.Women's sport is a particular area of focus, with the government enhancing its support in recent years. Women athletes have won five medals in the last two Olympic Games and have made significant contributions to India's medal tally at the Asian Games.

The United World Wrestling (UWW) has reaffirmed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) as its sole "affiliated member" with the exclusive authority to "elect and announce their teams" for international tournaments, including the Paris Olympics qualifiers.In a letter to WFI President Sanjay Singh, UWW President Nenad Lalovic emphasized that the WFI is responsible for selecting and announcing teams for continental championships, world championships, Olympic Games Qualifying Tournaments, and other international events. Lalovic, who is also an IOC Executive Board Member, clarified that only UWW-affiliated national federations can register for international events.This clarification comes after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) ad-hoc panel was assigned the task of conducting selection trials for the Asian Olympic Games Qualifier and Asian Championships following a Delhi High Court hearing. The WFI had initially issued a notice to conduct its own selection trials, but withdrew it after the court ruled that parallel trials could not be held.The Delhi High Court was hearing a plea filed by four protesting wrestlers, Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Satyawart Kadian, who challenged the WFI's notice. They argued that the federation had deliberately issued the notice despite being barred by the Sports Ministry from conducting championships and knowing about the ad-hoc committee's announcement of trials.WFI President Sanjay Singh expressed concern that the wrestlers should not suffer and that the country's interests should be prioritized in an Olympic year. He urged the government to ensure that wrestlers have the opportunity to compete and that the best interests of the nation are served.The trials for Greco Roman and freestyle wrestlers will be held at SAI Sonipat on March 10, while trials for women wrestlers will take place at NSNIS Patiala on March 11. The winners in the Olympic weight category will represent India in upcoming Olympic qualifiers, including the Asian Olympic Qualifiers (April 19-21) and World Olympic Qualifiers (May 9-12).

The Athletics Federation of India's (AFI) "no needle policy" has come under scrutiny after numerous used syringes were discovered at the main athletics stadium of the Sports Authority of India's center in Lucknow during the 22nd Junior National Federation Athletics Championship.The syringes were found scattered in the men's toilets, which are adjacent to the dope collection rooms at the venue. The identity of the athletes who used the syringes remains unknown, but their presence raises concerns about potential doping violations."We can't keep an eye on every athlete, especially when they lock the toilet doors," said a security guard outside the bathrooms on condition of anonymity. "It's not our responsibility to check every time an athlete comes out of the toilet."The discovery of the syringes on the first day of the prestigious event, which serves as a qualifying championship for the 21st Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Dubai, has shocked organizers."We have no idea how these syringes got into the men's toilet," said PK Srivastava, chief executive officer of the Uttar Pradesh Athletics Association. "We have a strict no-needle policy in athletics, but I will investigate this matter personally."Srivastava confirmed that the AFI has set up a dope control center at the venue, where a team of doctors is deputed for sample collection. A six-member NADA team led by BN Mishra is also stationed there."AFI has set up its dope controlling center at the venue, and so far, nine samples have been received on day one of the three-day championship," said Srivastava. "It's disheartening that some of our athletes still resort to such unethical practices."The presence of the syringes has cast a shadow over the championship and raised questions about the effectiveness of the AFI's anti-doping measures. The incident highlights the need for stricter enforcement of doping regulations and increased education for athletes on the dangers of performance-enhancing substances.

Neeraj Chopra, India's Olympic gold medalist in javelin throw, is gearing up for his return to outdoor competition in 2024. The 26-year-old is currently training in Turkey and is confident of being in top form for the upcoming season.Chopra's preparation for the Tokyo Olympics was hampered by injuries, but he has since bounced back strongly. He won a silver medal at the 2022 World Championships and set a new personal best of 89.94 meters at the Stockholm Diamond League meet."I want to be in the best possible shape before Paris," Chopra said. "My training sessions have gone off really well so far. I always lay stress on fitness along with strength and technique."Chopra is not setting any specific targets for the upcoming season, but he is confident of continuing his good form."I have won medals in two World Championships, threw my personal best, won a dream Diamond League title, and even defended my gold at the Asian Games," he said. "All in all, I have been in great space and want to carry forward that momentum from May onwards."Chopra is aware of the increasing competition in javelin throw, but he is not fazed by it."What matters to me is staying 100 percent fit, being consistent during the season, and delivering on the day that matters," he said. "I think there are mistakes to fix and looking at the increasing competition all around, one has to keep improving."Chopra is a role model for young athletes in India and is an inspiration to many. He is a true champion and a credit to his country.

Rohit Yadav's Olympic Dream: A Race Against TimeLast July, Indian javelin thrower Rohit Yadav underwent elbow surgery, setting the clock ticking towards the 2024 Paris Olympics. With the countdown clock looming large at the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS), Yadav's social media post captured the urgency of his mission: "362 days, 7 hours, 12 minutes, 13 seconds."Yadav's journey to Paris has been marked by both triumph and adversity. In 2021, he shattered the national record with a throw of 85.47 meters, earning him a spot at the Tokyo Olympics. However, a nagging elbow injury hampered his performance, forcing him to undergo surgery.Undeterred, Yadav has embarked on an intensive rehabilitation program at IIS. Under the guidance of renowned physiotherapist Dr. Nikhil Latey, he is working tirelessly to regain full range of motion and strength in his elbow."The recovery process has been challenging, but I'm determined to get back to my best," said Yadav. "I'm grateful for the support of my team and the facilities at IIS, which have made this journey possible."Yadav's coach, Uwe Hohn, a former Olympic champion, believes in his athlete's potential. "Rohit has the talent and the determination to succeed," said Hohn. "He has overcome adversity before, and I'm confident he will do it again."As the clock continues to tick down, Yadav remains focused on his goal. He knows that the road to Paris will be arduous, but he is prepared to give it his all."I'm not just competing against other athletes," said Yadav. "I'm competing against time. I'm determined to make the most of every second and give myself the best chance of success in Paris."

Oliver Bearman, a rising star in the world of Formula One, is poised to make history as he prepares to debut for Ferrari at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix. The 18-year-old British driver will replace Carlos Sainz, who has been ruled out due to appendicitis.Bearman's debut will mark a significant milestone, making him the youngest driver to participate in a Formula One race since Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll. The young prodigy has already demonstrated his exceptional talent, securing pole position in the F2 race at the Saudi Arabia circuit.Born in Essex, England, Bearman began his racing journey in karting at the tender age of seven. His remarkable success at the karting level, including multiple championship victories, paved the way for his debut in F4 in 2020.In 2021, Bearman's dominance continued as he triumphed in both the German and Italian F4 championships. His impressive performances caught the attention of Ferrari, who offered him a position in their prestigious driver academy.In his maiden season in Formula 3, Bearman narrowly missed out on the title, finishing third. He then progressed to Formula 2 in 2023, where he showcased his speed and consistency, winning four races and securing two additional podium finishes.Bearman's impressive performances earned him a promotion to reserve driver for Ferrari ahead of the 2024 season. Now, he is set to become the youngest driver in the history of the legendary Italian team.Bearman's debut at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix will be a testament to his exceptional talent and the unwavering support of Ferrari. The young driver will face a formidable challenge, but his determination and unwavering focus will undoubtedly make him a force to be reckoned with on the Formula One grid.

The Prime Volleyball League's third season is nearing its climax, with only a handful of matches remaining before the commencement of the highly anticipated Super 5s stage. The Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai has witnessed a week of intense action, relentless drama, and unpredictable encounters.The Mumbai Meteors and Chennai Blitz engaged in a thrilling contest that kept the home crowd on the edge of their seats. The match went down to the wire, with Mumbai ultimately securing the victory, making it more difficult for Chennai to advance to the Super 5s. However, Mumbai's triumph was short-lived as they stumbled against the Kolkata Thunderbolts. The former champions ended their campaign with a win, while simultaneously diminishing the Meteors' chances of reaching the Super 5s.Calicut Heroes, Ahmedabad Defenders, and Delhi Toofans maintained their impressive form this week, solidifying their status as top contenders for the next stage of the competition. Conversely, the Kolkata Thunderbolts were eliminated from the tournament after failing to overcome the defending champions, Ahmedabad Defenders. This marked the first time the Thunderbolts had missed out on a spot in the latter stages of the competition.The Kochi Blue Spikers gave the Delhi Toofans a run for their money, hoping to secure their first win of the season. Despite taking an early lead by winning the first two sets, Kochi was unable to maintain their momentum. The Toofans rallied back to claim the victory, virtually guaranteeing their place in the next stage of the competition.The Hyderabad Black Hawks showed signs of improvement but were eliminated after a 0-3 defeat against the Bengaluru Torpedoes. The Torpedoes boosted their chances of qualifying for the next stage with a stunning 3-2 victory over the Calicut Heroes in a five-set thriller.

Social media sensation Jake Paul and boxing legend Mike Tyson are set to clash in a highly anticipated bout on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The event, which will be streamed live on Netflix, marks a significant milestone in the streaming platform's foray into live sports production.Paul, 27, has rapidly ascended the boxing ranks since his professional debut four years ago. With nine wins and six knockouts to his credit, he has established himself as a formidable force in the sport. His only setback came against Tommy Fury, the half-brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.Tyson, 57, is a boxing icon who reigned as the undisputed world heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990. Known for his devastating power and intimidating presence, "Iron Mike" retired in 2005 with a record of 50 wins, 44 by knockout. His exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr. in 2020 ended in an unofficial draw.The Paul-Tyson matchup has sparked both excitement and skepticism. While some question the legitimacy of a fight between a young, up-and-coming boxer and a retired legend, others believe it will be an entertaining spectacle. The specifics of the bout, including whether it will be an actual pro fight or an exhibition, are still being finalized and must be approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.Paul has expressed his ambition to become a world champion and sees this fight as an opportunity to prove himself against the greatest heavyweight of all time. Tyson, for his part, is eager to test his skills against a younger opponent and believes it will be a "full circle moment" since he helped launch Paul's boxing career.The fight card at AT&T Stadium will be the third live sporting event for Netflix, following a golf/auto racing crossover event and an exhibition tennis match between Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. Paul's company, Most Valuable Promotions, is partnering with Netflix to stage the show.

Nishant Dev Advances in World Olympic Boxing Qualifiers, Ankushita Boro and Sanjeet Suffer DefeatsIndian boxer Nishant Dev has secured a spot in the pre-quarterfinals of the men's 71kg category at the first World Olympic Boxing Qualifiers. The World Championships bronze medalist outclassed Georgia's Madiev Eskerkhan with a dominant 5-0 unanimous decision on Thursday night.Dev's victory was a testament to his aggressive and calculated approach. Tokyo Olympics quarterfinalist Eskerkhan struggled to keep up with Dev's relentless attacks. Despite Eskerkhan's attempts to regain momentum in the second round, Dev remained unyielding, denying him any opportunity for a comeback.Meanwhile, India's youth world champion Ankushita Boro (66kg) and national champion Sanjeet (92kg) faced contrasting fortunes in their opening round matches. Boro fought valiantly but ultimately fell short 2-3 against Sonvico Emilie of France. Sanjeet, on the other hand, suffered a disappointing 0-5 defeat to Aibek Oralbay of Kazakhstan.These results continue a challenging campaign for India's boxers at the tournament. Despite the presence of over 590 boxers, India has yet to secure any additional quotas for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The tournament offers a total of 49 quotas, including 28 for men and 21 for women.India had previously secured four quotas through Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti (54kg), Parveen Hooda (57kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) at the Asian Games. The second World Qualification Tournament will be held in Bangkok from May 23 to June 3, providing another opportunity for Indian boxers to qualify for the Paris Olympics.