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Aditi Ashok's Olympic journey in Paris ended with a respectable tied-29th finish, a far cry from her impressive fourth-place performance in Tokyo three years ago. However, the 26-year-old Indian golfer showcased her resilience on the final day, firing seven birdies to card a 4-under 68 at the challenging Le Golf National course.Despite her strong finish, Aditi's overall score of 2-over 290 fell short of the 15-under she achieved in Tokyo. Her compatriot, Diksha Dagar, also struggled, finishing with a total of 13-over 301 after a disappointing 78 in the final round.New Zealand's Lydia Ko emerged as the undisputed champion, claiming the gold medal with a steady performance under pressure. Ko, who has an impressive 20 LPGA wins to her name, produced a 71 in the final round to finish two shots ahead of Germany's Esther Henseleit and three shots ahead of China's Xiyu Lin, who won the silver and bronze medals, respectively.Ko's victory marked a historic milestone, making her the first golfer in the modern era to win three Olympic medals. The gold also secured her entry into the LPGA's prestigious Hall of Fame.Reflecting on her performance, Aditi acknowledged that her final day was her best, with both her approach shots and putting working effectively. She attributed her seven birdies to these factors and the improved weather conditions.Despite her overall disappointment, Aditi expressed optimism about her future Olympic prospects. She aims to return in 2028 for the Los Angeles Games and challenge for a medal.

Neeraj Chopra's mother, Saroj Devi, expressed immense joy and pride over her son's silver medal victory at the Paris Olympics. She also extended her heartfelt congratulations to Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, who broke the Olympic record to clinch the gold medal."We are overjoyed with the silver medal. The one who won gold is also our child, and the one who won silver is also our child. All athletes work hard and deserve recognition," Saroj Devi told PTI Videos.She emphasized that there was no distinction between Chopra and Nadeem, both of whom are close friends off the field. "Nadeem is a talented athlete who plays well. We are equally proud of both of them," she added.Chopra's family is eagerly awaiting his return home, where they plan to celebrate his achievement with his favorite dish, "Churma." "He did exceptionally well. We will welcome him with Churma, which he loves. We are delighted and have been celebrating with firecrackers and ladoos," Saroj Devi said.Chopra's performance was particularly impressive given the highly competitive field, with seven athletes surpassing the 86m mark. "We are thrilled that he produced his season's best. The competition was intense, but he gave it his all," said Chopra's aunt, Kamlesh.Chopra's silver medal adds to his impressive collection of accolades, including gold medals at the Olympics, World Championships, Diamond League, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games. "After Tokyo, the only medal left was silver, and he has now achieved that as well," Kamlesh said.The family had initially hoped for a gold medal after Nadeem's record-breaking throw, but they were equally overjoyed with Chopra's silver. "We are happy with both of them. They have brought glory to Asia," Kamlesh added.

Aman Sehrawat's bronze medal victory in the men's 57kg freestyle wrestling event at the Olympics has brought some respite to the Indian contingent amidst controversies. The 21-year-old U-23 world champion lived up to expectations, defeating Darian Toi Cruz of Puerto Rico 13-5 in the bronze play-off.Sehrawat's triumph ensures that India's streak of winning at least one wrestling medal at every Olympics since 2008 remains intact. Sushil Kumar (2008), Yogeshwar Dutt (2012), Sakshi Malik (2016), Ravi Dahiya, and Bajrang Punia (2021) have all contributed to this impressive run.Sehrawat's victory also marks India's sixth medal at the Tokyo Games, bringing the country closer to matching its tally of seven from the previous edition. However, the Indian wrestling contingent has been marred by controversies, including the disqualification of Vinesh Phogat from the gold-medal bout due to being overweight and the deportation of Antim Panghal for using her sister's accreditation card.Sehrawat's journey to the bronze medal was not without its challenges. He faced a tough test in the semifinals against Japan's Rei Higuchi, but he had earlier stormed into the last four without conceding a single point.The Indian wrestler's success is a testament to his hard work and dedication. Having lost his parents at a young age, Sehrawat found solace in the Chhatrasal stadium, where he honed his skills under the guidance of renowned coaches. The same stadium has produced four other Olympic medalists for India, including Sushil Kumar and Bajrang Punia.Sehrawat's victory is a source of inspiration for aspiring wrestlers in India. It demonstrates that with determination and perseverance, anything is possible.

The Paris Olympics 2024 is drawing to a close, with the closing ceremony set to take place at the iconic Stade de France in the early hours of August 12. This grand event will mark the culmination of the Games, celebrating the achievements of athletes and the success of the host city.The closing ceremony will be a traditional affair, attended by an estimated 80,000 spectators. It will feature a spectacular display of music, dance, and cultural performances, showcasing the rich heritage of France. The ceremony will also include the ceremonial extinguishing of the Olympic flame, symbolizing the end of the Games.For India, the closing ceremony will be a moment of pride as our flag bearers, PR Sreejesh and Manu Bhaker, lead the Parade of Nations. Sreejesh, the veteran hockey goalkeeper, expressed his delight at being chosen as the flag-bearer, saying, "It is the cherry on the cake. I am going out with a medal, and now I have been chosen to be the flag-bearer. One cannot demand anything more than this."The closing ceremony will also witness the transfer of the Olympic flag to the Los Angeles 2028 Organizing Committee, marking the transition to the next host city.

India's Paris Olympics 2024 campaign concluded on Saturday with a total of six medals, marking the end of a 15-day journey. The contingent's performance was highlighted by Manu Bhaker's two bronze medals in shooting, Swapnil Kusale's bronze in shooting, and Neeraj Chopra's silver in javelin throw. The men's hockey team also secured a bronze medal after defeating Spain.On the final day of competition, Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar finished outside the top ten in golf, while wrestler Reetika Hooda suffered a quarter-final defeat to Alperi Medet of Kyrgyzstan. Despite the match ending in a 1-1 tie, Medet advanced due to scoring the last point. Her subsequent semi-final loss eliminated Hooda from repechage contention.The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was expected to announce its verdict on Vinesh Phogat's joint-silver medal verdict but deferred it to August 13. Phogat had announced her retirement from wrestling on Friday.IOC President Thomas Bach stated that the IOC would abide by the CAS decision, emphasizing that the International Federation (United World Wrestling) has the responsibility to interpret and apply its rules.

Rai Benjamin's exceptional performance anchored the United States to a resounding victory in the men's 4x400m relay at the Paris Olympics 2024. The quartet, comprising Benjamin, Christopher Bailey, Vernon Norwood, and Bryce Deadmon, shattered the Olympic record with a blistering time of 2 minutes and 54.43 seconds.Botswana, led by 200m champion Letsile Tebogo, put up a valiant fight, securing the silver medal with an African record of 2:54.53. Great Britain claimed the bronze with a European record of 2:55.83.Despite Quincy Hall's absence from the relay, the US team showcased their dominance in the 400m event. Bayapo Ndori of Botswana gave his team an early lead, but Britain briefly took the advantage before Deadmon's impressive third leg propelled the Americans back into contention.As Benjamin received the baton, Tebogo was hot on his heels and maintained the pressure until the finish line. However, Tebogo's shorter sprint pace proved insufficient to overcome Benjamin's relentless stride.The US team's victory marked a significant achievement, adding to their impressive medal haul in Paris. Benjamin's versatility, having already secured gold in the 400m hurdles, further cemented his status as one of the most formidable athletes in the world.Botswana's silver medal was a testament to their growing strength in track and field, while Great Britain's bronze demonstrated their continued competitiveness on the global stage.

Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic Gold medalist, has been bestowed with the prestigious Olympic Order by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This honor recognizes Bindra's exceptional contributions to the Olympic Movement.Bindra's journey to this remarkable achievement is marked by numerous accolades and contributions both on and off the field. As an athlete, he became the first Indian to win an individual Olympic Gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games in the Men's 10m Air rifle event. He also holds the distinction of being the first Indian to win a World Championship Gold in Air Rifle Shooting.Over his two-decade-long career, Bindra won over 150 individual medals, earning recognition as one of India's greatest sports icons. His exceptional service to the sport was further acknowledged when he was awarded the Blue Cross in 2018, the highest honor by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF).Beyond his achievements in sports, Bindra has made significant contributions to sports governance. He chaired the ISSF Athletes Committee for eight years and currently serves as a member of the IOC Athlete Commission and Education Commission. These roles allow him to influence the development of global sports policies and advocate for athletes worldwide.Post-retirement, Bindra founded the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting grassroots athletes in India through cutting-edge sports science technology. Through initiatives focused on high-performance training, education, and social upliftment, ABFT aims to bring global best practices to the Indian sporting landscape.A key initiative under Bindra's leadership is the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP), which is being implemented in partnership with the IOC's Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage (OFCH) and state governments in Odisha and Assam. Launched in Odisha in 2022 and Assam in 2023, OVEP aims to instil the core Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect in over 11,000 schools, impacting more than 1 million schoolchildren.Bindra's commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship is reflected in the Odisha Ridley Forest Project, an initiative aimed at preserving the natural habitat of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles along the Odisha coastline.This recognition highlights Bindra's enduring legacy in the world of sports and his continued efforts to promote the values of Olympism globally.

Hockey, a sport deeply ingrained in the hearts of Indian sports enthusiasts, has witnessed a remarkable resurgence in recent years. After a period of decline, the Indian hockey team has regained its glory, culminating in a historic bronze medal victory at the Paris Olympics 2024.Led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, the team showcased exceptional resilience and determination throughout the tournament. Their triumph against Australia and Great Britain, despite playing with a numerical disadvantage, stands as a testament to their unwavering spirit. This victory marks the first time since 1972 that India has won back-to-back medals at the Olympics, following their bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games.Speaking to NDTV, Harmanpreet expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support from the Indian public. He emphasized the importance of team unity and the positive environment fostered by senior players. Vivek Sagar Prasad, a pivotal member of the bronze-winning side, highlighted the crucial role of team spirit and the absence of a divide between seniors and juniors.Former captain Manpreet Singh acknowledged the high expectations placed on the team after their success in Tokyo. He attributed their success to meticulous planning and the team's ability to execute it effectively. Harmanpreet urged sports enthusiasts to support players during both their triumphs and setbacks, emphasizing that no player enters a game with the intention of losing.The team's success has not only brought joy to the nation but has also garnered increased attention from rivals and fans alike. Harmanpreet noted that their victory against Great Britain in the quarter-finals drew significant attention, even from non-hockey enthusiasts.While the majority of the current team will continue to strive for further glory, goalkeeper PR Sreejesh has announced his retirement. His teammates expressed their gratitude for his contributions and dedicated their medal to him. Sreejesh will now take on the role of coach for the Indian junior hockey team.The team's success is a testament to the unwavering support provided by Hockey India, the Odisha Government, and the Government of India. The upcoming Hockey India League is expected to provide a valuable platform for young players to learn from top players and coaches.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has announced that he will not seek a third term in office, ending his tenure in 2025. The 70-year-old German lawyer, who has led the IOC since 2013, made the announcement at a session of IOC members in Paris.Bach's decision comes despite requests from some members to extend his mandate. However, he emphasized that he believes it is in the best interests of the Olympic movement to have a new leader. "New times are calling for new leaders," he said.Bach's successor will be elected in 2025, and the race to replace him is expected to be competitive. Among the potential candidates is Zimbabwean former swimmer Kirsty Coventry, who is highly respected within the IOC.Bach's tenure as IOC President has been marked by both challenges and successes. He has overseen the implementation of several reforms, including the Agenda 2020 Olympic reforms, which aimed to make the Games more sustainable and accessible. He has also navigated the IOC through the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.Despite these challenges, Bach has also faced criticism for his handling of certain issues, such as the Russian doping scandal and the IOC's decision to award the 2022 Winter Olympics to Beijing.Nevertheless, Bach's legacy as IOC President will likely be defined by his commitment to the Olympic ideals and his efforts to promote unity and cooperation within the global sports community.