Others

Indian Women's Hockey Team Celebrates Men's Bronze, Reflects on Missed Olympic OpportunityAs the Indian men's hockey team celebrated their historic bronze medal victory in Tokyo, a bittersweet feeling washed over the women's team at the SAI Bengaluru hostel. While they rejoiced in their countrymen's triumph, they couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for their own missed opportunity.The women's team had come agonizingly close to qualifying for the Paris Olympics, but their hopes were dashed by a 0-1 loss to Japan in the third-place playoff of the FIH Olympic qualifiers. The disappointment was palpable, as they had spent countless hours training and sacrificing to achieve their Olympic dream."We were overjoyed for the men's team," said Salima Tete, captain of the national women's hockey team. "But we also wished we could have been there with them."The team has since undergone a coaching change, with Harendra Singh replacing Janneke Schopman. They are now focused on preparing for the upcoming World Cup and Asian Games."We came very close but didn't qualify," said Tete. "It hurts a lot. We spend months together in camp, away from family, working hard, so it's tough to come to terms with missing out on an Olympics."For Savita Punia, the 34-year-old goalkeeper, the World Cup and Asian Games are her immediate priorities. She is determined to make the most of her remaining time in the sport."For women, once we get married, family becomes a priority," said Punia. "I'm happy my husband and in-laws encourage me to pursue my career. But I don't want to think too far ahead. I just want us to win the Asian Games."Despite their disappointment, the women's team has been inspired by the men's team's success. They believe that with hard work and determination, they can achieve their own Olympic dream in 2028.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, the men's javelin final witnessed a historic moment as Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem claimed gold with a record-breaking throw of 92.97m, while India's Neeraj Chopra secured silver with 89.45m. This 1-2 finish marked a rare triumph for both nations in athletics at the Olympics.World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, who witnessed the event, acknowledged the significance of this achievement. "There was some bragging rights," he said, referring to the friendly rivalry between India and Pakistan. "It's absolutely fantastic, also because it was a sumptuous competition."Coe noted that Nadeem's victory shattered the Olympic record and surpassed the gold-winning mark in Tokyo. He also recalled a conversation with Chopra, who had expressed confidence in his ability to win in Paris. However, Nadeem's exceptional performance proved to be a formidable challenge.Chopra, despite his silver medal, expressed joy for Nadeem's historic achievement. Both athletes have played a pivotal role in elevating the profile of athletics in their respective countries.Coe emphasized the global reach of athletics, stating that the sport is becoming increasingly popular in both track and field events. He highlighted the importance of India as a market and talent hub for World Athletics."India is an important market for us," Coe said. "It's great to know that young people are talking about athletics now as well. And recognising that cricket is not the only game in town."The historic 1-2 finish by India and Pakistan in the men's javelin final at the Paris Olympics serves as a testament to the growing global presence of athletics and the potential for the sport to inspire and unite nations.

India's performance at the Paris Olympics, while not as impressive as the Tokyo Games, still showcased progress and potential. Despite a dip in medal count from seven to six, India's athletes demonstrated resilience and determination.Neeraj Chopra, India's most decorated Olympian, emphasized the importance of considering fourth-place finishes and the quality of performances. India had four fourth-place finishes, including a potential medallist who was disqualified for not meeting weight requirements.While shooting was absent from India's medal tally in Tokyo, it contributed three medals in Paris, along with three fourth-place finishes. Boxing and badminton, which had delivered medals in Tokyo, failed to do so in Paris, raising questions about their preparation and performance.Despite significant financial investment in preparation, India's athletes faced challenges in athletics, where the gap between India and the world's best remains wide. However, exceptional individuals like Chopra continue to inspire hope.Gagan Narang, the Chef-de-Mission, acknowledged the widening gap between India and other nations in key Olympic sports like track and field and swimming. He stressed the need for effective structures, programs, and plans to bridge this gap.Hockey, which medalled in two consecutive Olympics, aims to build on its success by linking it with youth programs and academies. India's head coach, Craig Fulton, believes that with the right priorities, anything is possible.While India fell short of expectations in Paris, the performances of its athletes, including those who narrowly missed medals, provide a foundation for future growth and improvement.

Arshad Nadeem, a Pakistani athlete, has etched his name in history by becoming the first individual from his country to win an Olympic gold medal. At the Paris Olympics 2024, Nadeem triumphed in the men's javelin throw event, shattering the Olympic record with a remarkable throw of 92.97 meters.Nadeem's victory was a stunning upset, as he surpassed the reigning Olympic champion, Neeraj Chopra of India. Chopra, who had a season-best throw of 89.45 meters, settled for the silver medal.Nadeem's journey to Olympic glory was not without its challenges. Growing up in a family of nine, with a construction worker father as the sole breadwinner, cricket was an unattainable dream for the young athlete."Cricket is an expensive sport, and we couldn't afford it," explained Nadeem's brother, Shahid. "He used to play in school, and that's what drew him to the sport."Initially, Nadeem dabbled in various track and field events, including the 200m, 400m, long jump, and javelin. However, a school teacher advised him to focus on a single discipline, and Nadeem chose javelin.Nadeem's Olympic triumph has been met with immense pride and celebration in Pakistan. The government has announced that he will be honored with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, the second-highest award in the country. A commemorative stamp titled "Azm-e-Istehkam" (Commitment to Stability) will also be issued in his honor.Nadeem's victory is a testament to his hard work, determination, and the unwavering support of his family and coaches. It is a historic moment for Pakistan and a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes around the world.

The Paris Olympics 2024 concluded with a thrilling finish, with the United States emerging victorious in the medal standings. After two weeks of intense competition, the US secured 44 gold medals, 44 silver medals, and 45 bronze medals, totaling 133 medals. China finished second with 40 gold medals, 27 silver medals, and 28 bronze medals, for a total of 95 medals.The final day of the Games was filled with drama, as the US trailed China by a single gold medal heading into the final event, women's basketball. The US, heavy favorites in the sport, delivered a nail-biting 67-66 victory over hosts France to clinch their eighth consecutive gold medal in women's basketball.Jennifer Valente, the reigning Olympic champion in the omnium, played a crucial role for the US, winning gold in the event and narrowing the gap with China. Li Wenwen of China had earlier secured gold in the women's +81kg weightlifting event, giving her country a 40th gold medal.Hosts France finished fifth in the medal tally with 16 gold medals, 20 silver medals, and 27 bronze medals, for a total of 63 medals. India ended their campaign with a silver medal and five bronze medals, finishing 71st in the standings.The Paris Olympics 2024 showcased the exceptional athleticism and determination of over 10,000 athletes from around the world. The US's triumph was a testament to their dominance in various sports, while China's strong performance highlighted their growing presence on the global sporting stage.

The United States women's basketball team extended their unprecedented dominance at the Olympics, capturing their eighth consecutive gold medal with a thrilling 67-66 victory over France in the final of the Paris Games. This triumph marked their 10th overall Olympic title, solidifying their status as the undisputed queens of the sport.A'ja Wilson led the American charge with a game-high 21 points, while Kelsey Plum and Breanna Stewart also made significant contributions. France, buoyed by their home crowd, put up a valiant fight, with Gabby Williams scoring 18 points and Marine Fauthoux adding 15.The first quarter was a low-scoring affair, with France struggling to find their rhythm and the US holding a slim 15-9 lead. However, France rallied in the second period, tying the game at 20-20 and even taking a brief lead. The teams went into halftime deadlocked at 25-25.France continued to impress in the third quarter, opening with a 10-point run to take a 35-25 advantage. The US responded with a surge of their own, led by Wilson and Plum, and regained the lead heading into the final period.The fourth quarter was a tense battle, with both teams trading baskets. France came within one point of tying the game with just seconds remaining, but Williams' potential game-tying three-pointer was ruled to have been released from behind the three-point line, resulting in a two-point shot.Wilson and Plum sealed the victory for the US with free throws, giving them a 67-66 lead. Williams' last-gasp three-pointer fell short, and the Americans erupted in celebration.The US women's basketball team's victory was a testament to their unwavering determination and exceptional talent. They faced a tough challenge from France, but their experience and resilience proved too much to overcome. This gold medal further cements their legacy as one of the greatest teams in Olympic history.

Track and field legend Sebastian Coe has hailed the emergence of an "extraordinary" group of athletes at the Paris Olympics, who have filled the void left by Jamaican sprint icon Usain Bolt.Bolt, an eight-time Olympic and nine-time world gold medalist, was a transformative figure in athletics, dominating the sprints during his illustrious career. Since his retirement in 2017, there has been speculation about who would step into his shoes as the sport's leading star.However, Coe believes that the narrative has shifted away from relying on a single athlete to carry the sport. "We are no longer a sport about one person," he said. "That one person was Herculean, that one person transformed the popularity of our sport for a very clear period of time, and he consistently did that."Coe compared Bolt's legacy to that of boxing legend Muhammad Ali. "You don't replace Muhammad Ali, you don't replace Usain Bolt," he said. "But I did say, 'Mark my words, other athletes will come through.'"The Paris Olympics showcased a remarkable depth of talent across various disciplines. Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis, American 400m hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, and the US mixed 4x400m relay team all set world records. There were also 13 new Olympic records established.Coe highlighted the global reach of track and field, with athletes from 75 countries achieving top-eight finishes. He noted that 105 countries have now won Olympic medals in the sport's history."Tell me any other sport on the opening day of a competition is celebrating a medal for Ecuador," Coe said. "So that for me tells me the sport is moving in the right direction."Coe emphasized the importance of continuing to promote the sport and building on the momentum generated by the Paris Olympics. "We had our 105th country in the history of the Olympic Movement winning a medal in Paris and that has been sensational," he said. "It is really important we do not take our foot off the accelerator."

Wrestling has been a consistent medal-winning sport for India at the Olympics, with the nation securing at least one medal in every edition since 2008. In the past five Games, wrestling has yielded seven medals for India, including bronze for Sushil Kumar (2008), silver for Sushil Kumar (2012), bronze for Yogeshwar Dutt (2012), bronze for Sakshi Malik (2016), silver for Ravi Kumar Dahiya (2021), bronze for Bajrang Punia (2021), and bronze for Aman Sehrawat (2024).Notably, all the male wrestlers mentioned above, except Sakshi Malik, are products of the renowned Chhatrasal Akhada, a breeding ground for Indian wrestling talent. Established in 1988 by former Indian wrestler Satpal Singh and coaches Ramphal Mann and Pradeep Sharma, the akhada was founded with the aim of producing Olympic medalists.Satpal Singh, who had won multiple medals at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games but missed out on an Olympic podium in his two appearances, was driven by the desire to fill this void in his career. "There was a pain in my heart of not winning an Olympic medal," he said. "That's why I started the akhada at the Chhatrasal Stadium. I wanted to churn out Olympic medalists for the country."Initially, the akhada focused on traditional dirt floors, but over time, it has been equipped with modern facilities and equipment to meet the needs of aspiring wrestlers. In 2024, Aman Sehrawat continued Chhatrasal's legacy by securing a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.The success of Chhatrasal Akhada can be attributed to its rigorous training regimen, experienced coaches, and a supportive environment that fosters excellence. The akhada has produced not only Olympic medalists but also numerous national and international champions, making it a testament to the transformative power of sports in shaping the lives of young athletes.

The Asian Tour is poised to make a grand return to India in 2025, bringing one of its prestigious International Series (IS) events to the country. This exciting development was hinted at during the International Series England at Foxhills Golf Club, where Asian Tour officials expressed their enthusiasm for a return to the Indian market.Rahul Singh, Head of International Series, confirmed that advanced talks are underway with a golf course and a sponsor. He emphasized that the Tour is committed to bringing an IS tournament to India next year, but stressed the importance of securing all necessary contracts before making an official announcement.India remains a crucial market for the Asian Tour, with a significant number of Indian professionals holding Tour memberships. However, the formation of an association between the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and the DP World Tour has reduced the number of Asian Tour events in India.Despite these challenges, the Asian Tour is determined to return to India in a sustainable and commercially viable manner. Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner of the Asian Tour, stated that the Tour is not interested in funding tournaments on its own. Instead, it seeks partnerships with local sponsors and venues to ensure the long-term success of IS events in India.The proposed LIV Golf schedule for 2025 will also play a role in the Asian Tour's plans. The Tour has strategically scheduled IS events close to LIV tournaments and in nearby countries to attract top players from the Saudi Arabia-backed league.Singh acknowledged the importance of LIV Golf to the Asian Tour's strategy. He emphasized that the partnership provides playing opportunities for LIV members and contributes to the growth of the IS.The remaining six IS events will form an exciting conclusion to the Asian Tour season, culminating in the $5 million PIF Saudi International. This tournament will crown both the International Series Ranking winner and the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.