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India's dismal performance at the Sydney Olympics, with only a single medal, served as a catalyst for the Indian Army's establishment of Mission Olympics Win. This program, designed to nurture Olympic medalists, inadvertently led to Brigadier (Dr.) Bibhu Nayak's full-time involvement in sports.Dr. Nayak's passion for sports ignited while assisting athletes as part of an Army medical team. His subsequent training in Cuba and postings at the Army Sports Institute and Indian boxing team honed his expertise in sports science. In 2009, he joined the Indian hockey team, where he remained until 2014.Today, as the Director of the National Centre for Sports Sciences and Research at the Sports Authority of India, Dr. Nayak is part of the Indian Olympic Association's medical team at the Paris 2024 Olympics. As the former FIH chairman for health and safety, he oversees the recovery room established exclusively for Indian athletes within the Olympic Village.Dr. Nayak played a pivotal role in budgeting and acquiring recovery and rehab equipment for the recovery room, including ice baths, sleep pods, and Game Ready cryo-compression and contrast therapy units. The Indian embassy in Paris facilitated the procurement of equipment, with Air Commodore Prashant Arya, air attaché, coordinating with local vendors."After the Games, two sleep pods will be allocated to the SAI Bengaluru campus, and one to SAI Patiala," said Dr. Nayak, who is attending his fourth Olympics.Dr. Nayak's journey from Army doctor to sports scientist to Olympic medical team member exemplifies the transformative power of sports and the unwavering commitment of individuals like him to the pursuit of excellence.

In the heart of Paris, amidst the bustling streets and iconic landmarks, India House has emerged as a vibrant hub for Indian sports enthusiasts during the 2024 Paris Olympics. On a rainy Saturday afternoon, Shivam Sharma, an engineering graduate from New Delhi, eagerly joined the queue outside India House, his excitement palpable.Sharma, a management student at HEC Paris Business School, has been captivated by the Olympic spirit since his arrival in Paris two years ago. "The chatter about the Olympics has been building up constantly," he says. "Now that the Games are here, I wanted to experience this grand event firsthand."Despite the relentless rain and the long commute to the venue, Sharma's enthusiasm remained undeterred. He had purchased his €5 tickets online and was eager to witness the inauguration featuring renowned singer Shaan. India House, he had discovered through social media, promised an immersive experience with Indian food, a cricket net, and the potential to interact with Indian Olympic athletes."I don't even care if they have won a medal or not," Sharma clarifies. "If I get to interact with any athlete from the Indian Olympic contingent, you will find me at India House."Sharma's passion for sports extends beyond cricket, the beloved pastime of India. He is equally excited about the prospect of witnessing other Olympic disciplines, such as badminton, tennis, and football. "The Olympics is a celebration of human potential and athleticism," he says. "I want to soak in the atmosphere and cheer for all the athletes, regardless of their nationality."As the rain subsided and the inauguration ceremony commenced, Sharma found himself immersed in the vibrant energy of India House. The aroma of traditional Indian cuisine filled the air, while the sound of music and laughter echoed through the halls. Sharma eagerly made his way to the cricket net, where he engaged in a friendly game with fellow Indian expats.Throughout the evening, Sharma reveled in the camaraderie and shared experiences with other Indian sports enthusiasts. He marveled at the performances of Indian athletes on the Olympic stage and felt a surge of pride in his country's representation.As the night drew to a close, Sharma left India House with a heart filled with memories and a renewed appreciation for the Olympic spirit. The experience had not only satisfied his sporting passion but had also strengthened his connection to his Indian heritage in a foreign land.

India's Medal Hopes Soar at Paris Olympics 2024: Day 6 PreviewDay 6 of the Paris Olympics 2024 promises to be a thrilling one for India, with several medal contenders taking to the field. Badminton stars PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and the men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will be in action.In shooting, Swapnil Kusale will aim to secure India's third medal in the 50m rifle 3-positions final. Sift Kaur Samra and Anjum Moudgil will also compete in the women's 50m rifle three positions qualification.Boxer Nikhat Zareen will face China's Yu Wu in the pre-quarterfinals of women's flyweight boxing. The Indian hockey team will face a tough challenge against Belgium in a men's Pool B match.Archery will see Pravin Jadhav compete in the men's individual 1/32 eliminations. In athletics, Akshdeep, Vikash, and Paramjeet Singh will participate in the men's 20km race walk final, while Priyanka Goswami will compete in the women's 20m race walk final.Golfers Gaganjeet Bhullar and Shubhankar Sharma will aim for glory in the men's individual finals. Vishnu Saravanan will represent India in the men's dinghy race, while Nethra Kumanan will compete in the women's dinghy race.In table tennis, India's women's singles players will compete in the quarterfinals.

Swapnil Kusale, a 28-year-old Indian shooter, has qualified for the final of the 50m rifle three positions event at the Paris Olympics. This is his second major final after the 2022 World Championships, where he finished fourth.Kusale's qualification score of 590 included 38 hits to the inner ring, demonstrating his accuracy and consistency. He will be hoping to break the jinx of finishing fourth in major competitions and secure a medal for India.The rifle three positions event tests the endurance and technique of shooters, requiring them to shoot from kneeling, prone, and standing positions. Kusale has worked on his game since his disappointing performance at the World Championships and Asian Games, focusing on developing a strong mind and maintaining confidence.His coach, Deepali Deshpande, praised Kusale's accuracy and patience during the qualification round. She believes that his maturity and ability to handle pressure will serve him well in the final.Kusale's qualification for the final is a testament to his hard work and determination. He has come a long way since winning his first senior national title in 2015 and has consistently performed at the international level.

In the realm of sports, setbacks and triumphs are intertwined, shaping the journeys of athletes. The Tokyo Olympics witnessed several such tales of resilience and redemption.Simon Biles, the gymnastics icon, faced the dreaded "twisties" in Tokyo, a mental block that threatened her Olympic dreams. Yet, she persevered, winning her eighth Olympic medal and becoming the most decorated gymnast in US history. Her triumph was not merely a victory on the scoreboard but a testament to her mental fortitude.Manu Bhaker, India's shooting prodigy, endured relentless trolling after a disappointing performance in Tokyo. The pressure and self-doubt nearly shattered her spirit. However, she found solace in taking a break and rediscovering her love for the sport.China's diving "Dream Team" suffered a rare setback in Tokyo, losing their four-decade-long streak in men's synchro platform. The defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, but it ignited a fire within Cao Yuan and Chen Aisen. They vowed to return stronger, proving that even in the face of adversity, redemption is possible.American sprinter Noah Lyles, after a bronze medal in the 200 meters, realized the need for a change. He embraced discomfort, competing in events that challenged his limits. His silver medal in the 60 meters at the Indoor World Championships boosted his confidence, reminding him that setbacks can be stepping stones to success.These athletes' journeys highlight the transformative power of setbacks. They teach us that failure is not a dead end but an opportunity for growth and self-discovery. By embracing the lessons learned from adversity, athletes can emerge stronger, more resilient, and with a renewed appreciation for the joy of victory.

Indian Hockey Team's Unconventional Bootcamp in the Swiss Alps: Building Resilience and TeamworkIn preparation for the Paris Olympics, the Indian men's hockey team embarked on an extraordinary two-day bootcamp in the Swiss Alps with renowned adventurer Mike Horn. This unconventional detour aimed to enhance the players' mental resilience, teamwork, and strategic thinking.Horn, who has previously worked with the Indian cricket team and IPL franchises, led the players through a series of challenging activities, including glacier walking, mountain climbing, via ferrata, and waterfall rappelling. These experiences pushed the players out of their comfort zones and tested their limits.According to Horn, these activities foster mental resilience, enabling athletes to stay focused under pressure. They also strengthen team bonds and trust, as players face challenges together. Additionally, they enhance strategic thinking and adaptability, crucial skills in high-stakes competitions like the Olympics.Horn shared personal anecdotes from his expeditions, exposing the players to the pressures of life and death. These stories resonated with the team, providing them with a fresh perspective on handling pressure in their own sport.The bootcamp began at Glacier 3000, where the players walked with harnesses. Initially, some players expressed apprehension, but their concerns dissipated after spending the night in a hostel and cycling to Rougemont.Horn gradually increased the intensity of the activities, culminating in a night spent on hay without sleeping bags or mattresses. This experience tested the players' adaptability and resilience.By the end of the camp, the players had embraced the challenges and developed a newfound sense of camaraderie and achievement. They left with a fresh perspective on handling pressure, a crucial skill for the upcoming Olympics.

Archery, a sport of precision and minute margins, witnessed a heart-wrenching defeat for India's Dhiraj Bommadevara in the Round of 32 at the ongoing Commonwealth Games. In a nail-biting shoot-off against Canada's Eric Peters, both archers hit a perfect 10. However, Peters' arrow landed a mere 2.4 cm closer to the center (X), resulting in Dhiraj's elimination.The target face in archery measures 122 cm in diameter, with the 10-ring spanning 12.2 cm. Archers stand a staggering 70m away from the target, making the distance equivalent to approximately 3/4ths of a football field."The bow and release must align perfectly with the X, with a precision of at least 2 mm," explains Sanjeeva Singh, an archery Dronacharya awardee. "Even a 0.01 percent error in finger release can result in the arrow missing the X."In contrast to Dhiraj's misfortune, India's Deepika Kumari experienced a stroke of luck in the Round of 64. She won a shoot-off with an 8, despite her Estonian opponent Reena Parnat also shooting an 8. Deepika's arrow was closer to the center (123.3mm) than Parnat's (146.7mm).Deepika's luck continued in the next round when her Dutch opponent Quinty Roeffen shot a zero, her arrow landing outside the 10 concentric circles. This rare occurrence propelled Deepika to the Round of 16 in the individual competition.Despite hitting only three 10s in 12 arrows against Roeffen, Deepika's performance was sufficient to advance. She joins Bhajan Kaur as the second Indian female archer to reach the quarterfinals. Deepika's next challenge will be against world No. 13 Michelle Kroppen, a formidable opponent who will test her limits.

Indian table tennis star Manika Batra's remarkable journey at the Paris Olympics ended in the women's singles pre-quarterfinals on Wednesday, as she succumbed to a 1-4 defeat against higher-ranked Japanese Miu Hirano.Batra, who had scripted history by becoming the first Indian table tennis player to reach the round of 16 at the Olympics, faced a formidable opponent in Hirano. Despite a valiant effort, Batra's uncharacteristic errors proved costly, resulting in a 6-11 9-11 11-9 14-12 8-11 6-11 loss in a match that lasted 47 minutes.The 29-year-old Batra had entered the match with high hopes, having previously defeated France's world number 18 Prithika Pavade 4-0 in the round of 16. However, Hirano's superior experience and skill proved too much for Batra, who suffered her fifth consecutive loss to the Japanese player.Earlier in the day, Batra's compatriot Sreeja Akula had advanced to the quarterfinals of the women's singles competition, providing a glimmer of hope for India in table tennis. Batra, a Commonwealth Games gold medalist, had previously reached the round of 32 at the Tokyo Games three years ago.Despite the disappointing result, Batra's performance at the Paris Olympics has been a testament to her determination and resilience. She has once again showcased her exceptional talent and has inspired countless young Indians to pursue their dreams in table tennis.

Jose Torres Gil, an unheralded rider from Argentina, stunned the BMX freestyle world by capturing the gold medal at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday. Torres Gil's sublime first run, featuring a massive 720 and a near-flawless execution, earned him a score of 94.82 points, which proved insurmountable for his rivals.British world champion Kieran Reilly and French superstar Anthony Jeanjean, both considered favorites for the podium, fell short in their attempts to dethrone Torres Gil. Reilly's impressive run, which included a clean 720, earned him a score of 93.91, just shy of the gold medal. Jeanjean, who crashed on his opening run, mounted a valiant comeback but could only manage a score of 93.76, relegating him to the bronze medal.Torres Gil's victory was a testament to his skill and determination. The 29-year-old from Cordoba, who was not considered among the favorites, showcased his exceptional aerial prowess and technical precision. His first run, which began with a huge transfer to the massive park, set the tone for his performance.Despite the intense heat and lack of shade, the riders pushed the boundaries of freestyle BMX. Torres Gil's triumph marked the second time the discipline had been featured at the Summer Olympics, and the riders showcased their ever-evolving skills.The defending gold medalist, Logan Martin of Australia, suffered a disappointing outing, crashing out of both of his runs. Marcus Christopher of the United States finished just off the podium in fourth, while Rimu Nakamura of Japan placed fifth.Torres Gil's victory was a reminder that anything is possible in the world of sports. The unassuming rider from Argentina proved that with determination and skill, even the most unexpected athletes can achieve Olympic glory.