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Algerian boxer Imane Khelif's triumph at the Paris Olympics 2024 was marred by a persistent controversy surrounding her gender. Despite winning the gold medal in the women's 66kg category, Khelif faced relentless scrutiny and accusations of being transgender.The debate over Khelif's gender intensified with each victory, casting a shadow over her remarkable achievement. However, the pugilist remained unyielding, refusing to let the criticism derail her performance. Her determination culminated in the coveted gold medal, a testament to her resilience and unwavering spirit.The gender row surrounding Khelif has sparked a broader discussion about the complexities of gender identity in sports. Indian actress Taapsee Pannu, who portrayed a female athlete facing similar challenges in the film 'Rashmi Rocket,' weighed in on the debate.Pannu emphasized that athletes should not be penalized for naturally occurring hormonal differences. She argued that many athletes possess biological advantages, such as Usain Bolt's exceptional speed or Michael Phelps's extraordinary lung capacity, without facing disqualification."It's not in my control what my hormones are," Pannu said. "If she [Khelif] has taken injections for this particular competition, then, of course, it should be illegal and she should be banned. But if she is not, then by something that is not in her control, you've banned her."Pannu's comments resonated with many who believe that gender verification tests in sports are discriminatory and unfair. They argue that such tests perpetuate harmful stereotypes and create an environment where athletes are forced to prove their worthiness based on arbitrary standards.The controversy surrounding Imane Khelif has brought to light the need for a more inclusive and equitable approach to gender in sports. It is essential to recognize that gender identity is a complex and multifaceted issue, and that athletes should be celebrated for their achievements regardless of their biological makeup.

Indian wrestler Aman Sehrawat, who made history by becoming the youngest-ever individual Olympic medallist from India at the recently-concluded Paris Olympic Games, fulfilled a dream by meeting Dilip Joshi, the lead actor from the popular comedy show Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chasmah.Sehrawat, who won a bronze medal in the men's 57kg freestyle wrestling category, had expressed his admiration for the show after his victory. Just days after the conclusion of the Games, he had the opportunity to meet 'Jethalal' (Dilip Joshi) in person. To the delight of fans on social media, Joshi presented Sehrawat with traditional Gujarati snacks, jalebi and fafda."When I am not wrestling, I love to watch 'Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah'," Sehrawat had said after winning the bronze medal in Paris.Sehrawat's journey to the podium was not without its challenges. He defeated Puerto Rico's Darian Cruz 13-5 in the bronze medal match after losing against Japanese top-seed Rei Higuchi 0-10 in the semifinal. Despite the setback, Sehrawat remained determined to make history."I would like to thank all the citizens of the country for their support at the Paris Olympics," Sehrawat said. "However, I was not able to bring a gold medal to the country, but my next target is the Los Angeles Olympics. I will give my 100 percent to change the color of the medal. Next time, I will definitely bring back a gold medal."Sehrawat's bronze medal is the eighth Olympic medal for India in wrestling, extending its bid as the second most successful sport for the country in the Olympics behind hockey. His performance has inspired a new generation of wrestlers and has brought pride to the nation.

India and Poland, separated by vast geographical distances, have forged an unexpected bond through the captivating sport of kabaddi. This ancient Indian game has captivated Polish youth, leading to remarkable achievements and a shared passion between the two nations.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his official visit to Poland, highlighted the "kabaddi connection" between the countries. He acknowledged Poland's success in the sport, including their European Championship titles and representation at the Kabaddi World Cups.To further strengthen this connection, PM Modi met with the captains of Poland's men's and women's kabaddi teams. The sport's popularity in Poland stems from its resemblance to European games like tag and wrestling.The introduction of kabaddi in Poland is attributed to Abhishek Sharma, an Indian who moved to the country in 2007. With the support of the International Kabaddi Federation, Sharma launched the "Kabaddi Project" in 2010. Through his unwavering dedication and financial investment, he has played a pivotal role in popularizing the sport.Poland's men's national team made a remarkable debut at the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup in India, defeating the reigning champions Iran. This achievement showcased the growing potential of kabaddi in Poland.The current visit by Prime Minister Modi is expected to further enhance the kabaddi connection between India and Poland. This shared passion for the sport has fostered a unique bond between the two countries, transcending geographical barriers and uniting them through the thrill and camaraderie of kabaddi.

Star Spanish paddler Alvaro Robles will lead PBG Bengaluru Smashers in the IndianOil Ultimate Table Tennis 2024 as team captain. Robles, 33, will spearhead a talented sextet, which includes Indian ace Manika Batra, USA sensation Lily Zhang, youngsters Jeet Chandra and Taneesha Kotecha, and the highly experienced Amalraj Anthony.Robles, a two-time Olympian, has qualified for the playoffs in all three of his previous UTT appearances. He starred in last season's UTT final, sweeping Indian great Achanta Sharath Kamal 3-0.Punit Balan, CEO of Punit Balan Group, owners of PBG Bengaluru Smashers, said: "We are delighted to have Alvaro Robles as the captain of the PBG Bengaluru Smashers. Alvaro's track record speaks for itself-he's a proven champion with the heart of a leader."Robles' remarkable achievements include a historic silver medal at the 2019 World Table Tennis Championships in Budapest, Hungary, making him the first Spaniard to reach such heights in the sport. He also won a Mediterranean Games gold in 2020 and became the first Spanish player to reach the final in an ITTF Challenger Series event the same year."Being named captain of the PBG Bengaluru Smashers is a tremendous honor," said Robles. "Leading such a talented group of players in a prestigious tournament like IndianOil Ultimate Table Tennis is a challenge I am eager to embrace."For the third time in UTT, Robles will work under Dutch coach Elena Timina, who herself coached her team to become UTT champion last year. Timina said: "I'm thrilled to be coaching Alvaro Robles again, especially in such an important role as team captain. Alvaro is not only a world-class player but also a strategic thinker who knows how to bring out the best in his teammates."PBG Bengaluru Smashers will begin their IndianOil UTT 2024 campaign on Friday (August 23) with a tie against hosts Chennai Lions. The team will subsequently play Puneri Paltan TT, debutants Jaipur Patriots and Ahmedabad SG Pipers, and Dabang Delhi TTC in their remaining league stage ties.

The tragic loss of English cricketer Graham Thorpe to suicide at the age of 55 has brought the issue of mental health in sports to the forefront. Thorpe's widow revealed that he had been battling "major depression and anxiety" for a prolonged period.This incident has resonated with former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa, who has opened up about his own struggles with depression. In a recent episode of his YouTube series, Uthappa shared that he reached a point where he couldn't look at himself in the mirror due to feelings of shame and worthlessness.Uthappa's story highlights the prevalence of mental health issues among athletes. Statistics indicate that the suicide rate among college athletes has doubled between 2002 and 2022. The mental health epidemic extends beyond cricket, with renowned athletes such as Michael Phelps, Simone Biles, and Naomi Osaka speaking out about their experiences.Athletes face unique pressures that can contribute to mental health challenges. The constant pursuit of excellence, coupled with public scrutiny and expectations, can take a toll on their emotional well-being. Dr. Arushi Dewan, a clinical psychologist, explains that athletes often tie their self-worth to their performance, leading to a cycle of self-criticism and guilt.The solution lies in seeking professional help. Dr. Dewan emphasizes that delaying therapy will not alleviate symptoms of depression. Athletes need to prioritize their mental health and engage in therapy to effectively manage their struggles.

India's women's table tennis team made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics, reaching the quarter-finals for the first time ever. However, their journey ended with a 1-3 loss to Germany, with Archana Kamath being the only Indian paddler to win a game.Despite the historic achievement, Kamath has decided to retire from professional table tennis to pursue her studies abroad. The decision came after a candid conversation with her coach, Anshul Garg, who acknowledged the challenges of winning an Olympic medal in the future.Kamath's selection for the Paris Olympics had sparked controversy, but she proved her worth by helping India secure their only victory against Germany. However, the lack of financial sustainability in table tennis, coupled with her desire for academic excellence, led her to make the difficult decision to retire.Kamath's father, Girish, expressed his support for his daughter's choice, emphasizing her academic achievements and her dedication to table tennis. He stated that she had no regrets about her decision.Kamlesh Mehta, secretary of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI), acknowledged the growing corporate support for table tennis but admitted that the sport still faces challenges in providing a sustainable livelihood for players.Garg echoed Mehta's sentiments, highlighting the need for a system that supports upcoming players financially. He believes that Kamath's decision is understandable given the current state of the sport.

Manu Bhaker, India's pistol shooting sensation, made history at the Paris Olympics 2024 by becoming the first Indian athlete since independence to win two medals in a single Games. Her bronze medals in the 10m air pistol and 25m pistol events cemented her status as a global star.However, Bhaker's post-Olympic journey has been marked by both adulation and controversy. While she has received widespread praise for her achievements, she has also faced uncomfortable questions from the media.At a recent event in Chennai, Bhaker was confronted with questions about wrestler Vinesh Phogat's controversial comments and her alleged conversation with javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra. The questions left Bhaker visibly uncomfortable, and she abruptly left the event without answering.Beyond the media scrutiny, Bhaker has also encountered legal issues related to unauthorized use of her image. Several brands have used her photos in congratulatory advertisements without her consent. Bhaker's team has sent legal notices to these brands, emphasizing that they have no right to use her image without her permission.This issue is not unique to Bhaker. Other Indian athletes who participated in the Paris Games have also faced similar problems with non-associated brands using their images for commercial purposes."Brands that do not sponsor our athletes cannot legally use their images in advertisements," said a spokesperson from Baseline Ventures, which represents several Indian athletes. "If they do, we will take strict legal action."Bhaker's case highlights the importance of protecting athletes' rights and ensuring that their images are used ethically and with their consent. As Indian athletes continue to achieve success on the global stage, it is crucial that their rights are respected and that they are not exploited for commercial gain.

Indian women wrestlers have made a remarkable impact at the Under-17 World Championships, with four athletes securing spots in the title contention. Aditi Kumari, Neha, Pulkit, and Mansi Lather have showcased their dominance in their respective weight categories.Aditi Kumari, competing in the 43kg division, displayed exceptional skills in her victories over Ukraine's Karolina Shperyk and Egypt's Marriem Mohamed Abdelaal. She advanced to the semifinals with an impressive 8-2 win, setting up a thrilling encounter with Maria Louiza Gkika from Greece in the final.In the 57kg category, Neha has been unstoppable, not conceding a single point in her path to the semifinals. She pinned her Greek opponent Mairi Mani and secured a technical superiority victory against Georgia's Miranda Kapanadze. Neha's impressive run continued with an 8-4 triumph over Kazakhstan's Anna Stratan, earning her a spot in the final against Japan's So Tsuitsui.Pulkit, competing in the 65kg division, has also been a force to reckon with. She dominated China's Ling Cai with a 'win by fall' and followed it up with a commanding 9-0 victory against Juliana Catanzaro. Pulkit's dominance extended to her match against Egypt's Maram Ibrahim Aly, whom she blanked 3-0 to secure her place in the gold-medal bout. She will face Daria Frolova of Ukraine on Thursday.Mansi Lather has been equally impressive in the 73kg category, conceding only two points throughout her journey to the final. She defeated Lotta Englich, Piper Meredith Fowler, and Khrystyna Demchuk with ease, setting up a showdown with Hanna Pirskaya in the title match.In the Greco-Roman bronze medal play-off, Ronak, ranked second in the world, showcased his skills by comfortably defeating Turkey's Emrullah Capkan 6-1. This victory marked India's first medal at the championship. Sainath Pardhi added to India's tally by beating Kazakhstan's Mussan Yerassyl in the 51kg bronze play-off.The Indian women wrestlers' exceptional performances at the Under-17 World Championships have brought pride to the nation and showcased the rising talent in the sport. Their determination and hard work have paved the way for potential gold medals and further success in the future.

The Indian Paralympic contingent, led by star javelin thrower Sumit Antil, has embarked on its journey to the Paris Paralympics with the aim of securing an unprecedented five gold medals and a total of 12 medals. The first batch of 16 para athletes will acclimatize to the conditions in Paris before entering the Games Village on August 25.Antil, who is aiming to become the first Indian to defend his Paralympics gold, will train at facilities near the French capital to adjust to the weather conditions. Para athletics events will be held at Stade de France, the same venue where the able-bodied athletes competed during the Paris Olympics.Para-athletics head coach Satyanarayana expressed confidence in the team's medal prospects, stating, "We are aiming for at least five gold and 12 medals in total. This will be our best performance in the Paralympics." India's hopes are buoyed by their success at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan, where they finished sixth in the medal tally with six gold, five silver, and six bronze medals.In addition to Antil, other medal contenders include Deepthi Jeevanji (women's 400m T20), Sachin Khilari (men's shot put F46), Ekta Bhyan (women's club throw F51), Simran Sharma (women's 200m T12), and Mariyappan Thangavelu (men's high jump T42).India is sending its largest ever team of 84 athletes across 12 sports to the Paralympics, with 38 from the para-athletics team. Paralympic Committee of India President Devendra Jhajharia has predicted at least 25 medals from the Paris Games.Antil and Bhagyashree Jadhav, who won a silver in the Hangzhou Asian Para Games in women's shot put F34, will be the joint flag bearers for India during the Opening Ceremony, which will be held outside a stadium for the first time. The ceremony will take place from Champs-Elysees to Place de la Concorde in the heart of Paris.