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Paralympic Committee of India Appoints Satya Prakash Sangwan as Chef de Mission for Paris ParalympicsThe Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has appointed Satya Prakash Sangwan as the chef de mission of the Indian contingent for the upcoming Paris Paralympics. Sangwan, who is the PCI's vice president, brings with him over a decade of experience in the Paralympic movement.As the chef de mission, Sangwan will be responsible for leading India's largest-ever contingent of 84 para-athletes, who will compete across 12 sports disciplines at the Paris Paralympics. This will be the first time that India will send such a large contingent to the Paralympics.Sangwan expressed his honor at being entrusted with this responsibility and pledged to ensure that the athletes have everything they need to succeed and make India proud at the Paralympics."It is a great honor to be entrusted with this responsibility. I am committed to ensuring that our athletes have everything they need to succeed and make India proud at the Paralympics," Sangwan said.PCI President Devendra Jhajharia praised Sangwan's dedication and leadership, expressing confidence that the team will achieve great success at the Paris Paralympics under his guidance."Mr. Satya Prakash Sangwan has been an integral part of the Paralympic Committee of India for over a decade. His dedication and leadership have always been an inspiration to our athletes," Jhajharia said. "We are confident that under his guidance as Chef de Mission, our team will achieve great success at the Paris Paralympics 2024."Sangwan's appointment as chef de mission is a testament to his commitment to the Paralympic movement and his dedication to ensuring that Indian para-athletes have the opportunity to compete at the highest level.

Katarzyna Niewiadoma's triumph at the Women's Tour de France was a testament to her resilience and determination. The Polish rider, representing Canyon-SRAM Racing, emerged victorious by a mere four seconds, the narrowest margin in the event's history.Niewiadoma's victory was hard-fought, as she faced a formidable challenge from reigning champion Demi Vollering of the Netherlands. The final stage, culminating on the grueling Alpe d'Huez, saw Vollering secure a stage win and close in on Niewiadoma's lead. However, Niewiadoma held on to her advantage, maintaining a four-second gap at the finish line.The race was marked by dramatic events, including a significant crash involving Vollering in the fifth stage. Despite losing crucial time, Vollering mounted an impressive comeback, reducing the gap to just over a minute by the final stage.During the last 150 km stretch, Vollering made a strong push, briefly overtaking Niewiadoma while climbing the Col du Glandon. Niewiadoma, however, regrouped in the final 5 km, regaining enough time to maintain her overall lead.Niewiadoma's victory was particularly significant given her previous near-misses in the race. She had placed third in the previous two editions and endured a disappointing eighth-place finish in the 2024 Olympic road race."This is one of the greatest achievements in Polish sport," said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. "Bad luck at the Olympics, now a bit of luck, but above all skill."Niewiadoma's win makes her the third different winner in as many editions of the Women's Tour de France. She completed the eight-stage Tour with a total time of 24 hours, 36 minutes, and 7 seconds, narrowly ahead of Vollering. Pauliena Rooijakkers of the Netherlands finished third, just six seconds behind Vollering."I went through such a terrible time on that climb," said Niewiadoma. "I hated everything, and then, getting to the finish line and realizing I'd won the Tour de France was just crazy! It's overwhelming."

In the highly anticipated first encounter between reigning World Champion Ding Liren and 18-year-old Indian prodigy D Gukesh at the Sinquefield Cup, the two chess titans played out a tense draw in Round 1.Despite Ding's 2-0 advantage over Gukesh in classical chess, the Indian teen held his own, showcasing his remarkable talent. The game began with Ding holding the White pieces, and on move 18, Gukesh made a surprising decision that drew criticism from commentators.Gukesh pushed his Black pawn to d4, opening up a potential mating threat on the kingside. Ding, with his hands resting on his face, pondered his next move for half an hour before playing the anticipated Queen to h6. However, he loosened his grip with a subsequent bd3 move, allowing Gukesh to create a passed pawn and counterplay opportunities.Earlier in the day, Gukesh was spotted entering the World Chess Hall of Fame with his trainer and father. The teen recently received a Mercedes-Benz E-class as a gift from his Chennai school. Despite his recent success, Ding has dropped to his lowest ranking since 2016, while Gukesh has reached his highest-ever ranking of world no. 6.After the game, Ding admitted to wanting to surprise Gukesh in the opening while preserving his preparation. He also acknowledged his improved form and the lessons he has learned from his recent losses.The draw in Round 1 sets the stage for an intriguing rematch between the two players later this year in their World Championship match. Gukesh's performance against the reigning champion demonstrates his potential to challenge for the highest honor in chess.

India's Olympic Medal Quest: Challenges and SolutionsIndia's performance at the Paris Olympics 2024, with six medals, fell short of expectations. While cricket enjoys unwavering fandom, other sports face significant challenges in sustaining interest and developing talent.Lack of Publicity and SupportNon-cricket sports suffer from a lack of targeted publicity, broadcasting, investment, and awareness. Despite numerous shooting events, only a handful are televised, limiting exposure and fan engagement. This lack of support hinders the development of a pipeline of talented athletes.Targeted Funding and Elite Athlete SupportIndia's Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) provides financial support to medal prospects. However, the scale of funding is limited compared to countries like Great Britain, which has invested heavily in elite athlete support and high-performance culture.Systemic IssuesSports bodies in India often face corruption, financial deficits, and governance issues. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has seen a modest income increase, but its budget remains insufficient to support grassroots development and competitive events. Federations, which receive government funding, lack the resources to nurture talent and promote the sport effectively.Solutions for Olympic SuccessTo improve India's Olympic medal haul, several measures are necessary:* Increased Funding: Allocate more resources to elite athlete support and grassroots development.* Systemic Reforms: Address corruption and governance issues in sports bodies.* Broadcasting and Publicity: Increase the visibility of non-cricket sports through television and other media channels.* Grassroots Development: Expand participation in sports at the grassroots level to identify and nurture talent.* Commercial Outlets: Create commercial opportunities for non-cricket sports to generate revenue and support development.

Ace wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who narrowly missed out on an Olympic gold medal in Paris, is reportedly considering a foray into politics. Sources close to her have hinted at the possibility of her contesting the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections.Despite her previous statements that she would not pursue active politics, Vinesh has reportedly been approached by several political parties eager to secure her support. The wrestler's impressive performance at the Olympics, where she was disqualified from the final due to being overweight, has garnered significant attention and made her a potential political asset.Vinesh's return to India was met with a rousing welcome, with Congress MP Deepender Hooda and other family members garlanding her at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. However, the party she intends to join remains uncertain.Sources close to the Phogat family have suggested that Vinesh could potentially face off against her cousin, Babita Phogat, in the Haryana Assembly elections. Additionally, Bajrang Punia and Yogeshwar Dutt, two other prominent wrestlers, may also contest the elections.Vinesh's decision to consider politics has sparked speculation about her future in wrestling. In a recent social media post, she hinted at a possible return to the sport, despite her earlier decision to retire after the Paris Olympics disqualification.The wrestler's disqualification from the gold medal match due to weight issues has raised questions about the challenges faced by female athletes in India. Vinesh has been an outspoken advocate for women's rights and has used her platform to highlight the need for better support and opportunities for female athletes.As Vinesh weighs her options, her fans and supporters eagerly await her decision on both her political and sporting future. Her potential entry into politics could have a significant impact on the Haryana Assembly elections and the broader landscape of Indian politics.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled against Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat in her appeal against her disqualification from the 50kg wrestling event at the Paris Olympics 2024. In a detailed 24-page verdict, CAS described the United World Wrestling's (UWW) rules for punishing athletes who fail the second-day weigh-in as "draconian" but ultimately upheld the decision to disqualify Phogat.Phogat had cleared the weigh-in process on the first day of her event but was found 100gm overweight on the second day, the day of her gold medal bout. As per UWW rules, wrestlers must clear the weigh-in on both days of the competition. While the UWW allows a 2kg weight tolerance in many international competitions, there is no such buffer at the Olympics.In her appeal, Phogat argued that she should be awarded a joint silver medal with Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who lost to her in the semifinals but was promoted to the summit clash following her disqualification. However, CAS dismissed her appeal, stating that it was Phogat's responsibility to ensure she was under the permissible limit during both days of the competition.CAS acknowledged that the consequences of failing the second weigh-in were severe, but it emphasized that Phogat had voluntarily entered the 50kg weight category and was aware of the weight requirements. The court also noted that Phogat had previously competed under the UWW rules and had not raised any concerns about the weight requirements.Phogat's disqualification from the Olympics was a major disappointment for India, as she had become the first Indian woman wrestler to qualify for an Olympic final. Her stunning victory over legendary Japanese wrestler Yui Susaki had raised hopes of a medal, but her disqualification shattered those dreams.Despite the CAS ruling, Phogat has received a hero's welcome upon her return to India. Her performance at the Olympics has inspired many young wrestlers and demonstrated her resilience and determination.

Manu Bhaker, India's shooting sensation who won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics 2024, is making the most of her time off by indulging in her hobbies and spending quality time with her family.During the festive occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Bhaker shared glimpses of her celebrations on social media. She posted a picture with her brother, symbolizing the traditional ritual of siblings blessing each other with gifts.In another Instagram story, Bhaker showcased her culinary skills, hilariously captioning it as "making the right use of my holidays with classes from my mother."Beyond her shooting prowess, Bhaker has revealed her passion for martial arts. She plans to dedicate her time off to practicing this discipline, which she pursued as a teenager before transitioning to shooting."Now, I have some time off and I can probably do that (martial arts) again," Bhaker told PTI. "I was not able to get that kind of time to invest myself into that. Finally, I can take time off for my hobbies, and I have many, many hobbies."Bhaker's hobbies extend beyond martial arts to include horse riding, skating, fitness, and dance. She is particularly fond of Bharatnatyam, a classical Indian dance form."I was training in France, I wasn't able to get time, not able to cope up with the (Bharatnatyam) classes," said Bhaker, whose trainer is from Tamil Nadu.Bhaker's diverse interests and dedication to her hobbies demonstrate her well-rounded personality and her commitment to personal growth beyond her sporting achievements.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has released the detailed verdict of the sole arbitrator, Annabelle Bennett, who dismissed Vinesh Phogat's appeal for a silver medal after her disqualification for being overweight in the weigh-in before the final at the Paris Olympics.Bennett acknowledged the persuasiveness of the Indian side's arguments but emphasized that the clear-cut rules left no room for leeway. The rules state that wrestlers must remain eligible throughout the competition, from entry to the finals. Failure to do so results in elimination without ranking.Vinesh, who won three bouts to reach the final, was marginally overweight at the mandatory second weigh-in the next morning before the gold medal bout. She argued that the excess weight was due to factors such as the menstrual cycle, water retention, and insufficient time to reduce her weight due to travel.However, Bennett noted that the rules are clear and do not allow for any tolerance. Athletes are responsible for ensuring they remain below the weight limit.Vinesh's appeal for a shared silver medal was also dismissed as it was not within the arbitrator's power. The UWW rules state that once a wrestler becomes ineligible during the competition, the consequences of elimination without ranking apply.Bennett expressed sympathy for Vinesh's situation, calling the disqualification rule "draconian." She suggested that a fairer solution would be to eliminate the wrestler from the round for which they were found ineligible, rather than the entire competition.The detailed verdict provides insights into the UWW's weigh-in rules and the consequences of failing to meet the weight limit. It highlights the importance of athletes adhering to the regulations and the challenges they may face in maintaining their weight during competitions.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has upheld its decision to disqualify Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympics final due to being overweight. In a detailed ruling, the CAS stated that athletes are solely responsible for ensuring they remain below the weight limit, with no exceptions allowed.Phogat's disqualification stemmed from being 100 grams overweight on the morning of the women's 50kg freestyle final. She had appealed the decision, arguing that the excess weight was minimal and could be attributed to factors such as water retention. However, the CAS rejected her appeal, citing the clear rules regarding weight limits."The Rules are clear as to the weight limit and are the same for all participants. There is no tolerance provided for - it is an upper limit. It does not even allow for the weight of the singlet. It is clearly up to an athlete to ensure that they remain below that limit," the CAS stated.Phogat's disqualification sparked controversy, with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) expressing disappointment. However, the CAS emphasized that the rules are impartial and must be adhered to by all athletes.In her appeal, Phogat had requested a joint silver medal with Cuban wrestler Yusneylis Guzman Lopez, who lost to her in the semifinals but was promoted to the final after Phogat's disqualification. The gold medal was won by American Sarah Ann Hildebrandt.The CAS's decision serves as a reminder to athletes of the importance of adhering to weight limits and the consequences of exceeding them. It also highlights the impartial nature of the CAS in upholding the rules of sports.