The Indian contingent, comprising 117 athletes, is set to embark on the Paris Olympics 2024 with high expectations. The team aims to surpass the previous medal tally of seven achieved in Tokyo.
Indian athletes under pressure for Paris Olympics
While most athletes have enjoyed smooth preparations, including access to world-class training facilities, the wrestling team faced significant challenges.
As the Games commence, the focus shifts to transforming the hard work and meticulous planning into tangible results on the medal table.
India Faces Challenges in Paris Olympics
Replicating the success of the Tokyo Olympics, where India won seven medals, will be a formidable challenge. With the exception of Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion, most Indian athletes are not considered top contenders in their respective events. The Indian contingent is heavily represented by athletics, shooting, and hockey, with a combined total of 69 athletes. Notably, 40 of these athletes are making their Olympic debut. While experienced athletes are expected to lead the charge, the overall performance will largely depend on the ability of the debutants to rise to the occasion on the grandest sporting stage.
India's veteran Athletes' last shot at Olympics
The Paris Olympics will mark the end of an era for several Indian stalwarts, including two-time medalist shuttler PV Sindhu, tennis player Rohan Bopanna, legendary table tennis player Sharath Kamal, and hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. While the hockey team has faced inconsistent performances in the lead-up to the Games, the boxing and wrestling teams have also encountered challenges due to limited competition exposure. The shooting team has delivered mixed results, and although athletes like Avinash Sable have shown improvement in athletics, their times still fall short of their global competitors.
Given the current form and competition landscape, reaching the finals in many events would be considered a significant achievement for the Indian contingent.
India's Medal Hopes Rest on Neeraj Chopra and Badminton Duo
India's primary medal hopes for the Paris Olympics rest on Neeraj Chopra, despite concerns over a recent injury, and the dynamic badminton duo of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy. While Neeraj has yet to achieve the coveted 90-meter mark, his consistent performance and ability to excel in high-pressure situations make him a strong contender for another Olympic medal.
If successful, Neeraj would join an elite group of Indian athletes with multiple Olympic medals, including PV Sindhu and Sushil Kumar. Rankireddy and Chirag have emerged as a formidable force in men's doubles badminton and are considered strong medal prospects.
Despite facing challenges, PV Sindhu's experience could be a crucial factor in her quest for another Olympic medal.
Indian Men's Hockey Team Faces Challenges
The Indian men's hockey team is facing a challenging period ahead of the Olympics. Recent performances, including a disappointing loss to Australia and inconsistencies in the Pro League, have raised concerns. The team's ability to convert penalty corners and maintain a consistent tempo throughout matches remains an area for improvement.
The draw for the Olympics has placed India in a tough group alongside powerhouses like Australia, Belgium, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland. To progress to the semifinals, the team will need to deliver exceptional performances.
Indian Shooting Under the Radar
The Indian shooting team, the largest in the country's Olympic history, has maintained a relatively low profile compared to previous Games where young stars like Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary generated significant hype. Despite the initial promise shown by Divyansh Panwar and Elavenil Valarivan, the team has yet to achieve consistent success.
While the shooting team lacks the same level of spotlight as in previous years, athletes like Sift Kaur Samra, Sandeep Singh, and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar have the potential to break India's 12-year medal drought in the sport. The last Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal was Gagan Narang, who claimed bronze in the 10m air rifle event at the 2012 London Games.
Indian wrestlers sets sights on medal
Wrestling has been a consistent medal-winning sport for India in recent Olympics. With high expectations for the Paris Games, the sport faced significant setbacks due to the protests against the Wrestling Federation of India. The lack of a national camp and competitive opportunities impacted the wrestlers' preparation. While athletes like Anshu Malik, Antim Panghal, and Aman Sehrawat are considered strong contenders, their fitness levels remain uncertain. Additionally, U-23 world champion Reetika Hooda could emerge as a surprise contender.
Other Indian medal contenders
While archery and table tennis secured Olympic berths through rankings, the paths to success differ. Table tennis has achieved a significant milestone, but archery, despite past promises, has yet to deliver consistent results. The recent denial of accreditation to their coach has further dampened their campaign.
Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, the Tokyo silver medalist, faces challenges due to recent injuries and form fluctuations. Her ability to replicate her previous success remains uncertain. Boxers Nikhat Zareen and Nishant Dev have shown promise based on their recent performances and are considered potential medal contenders.
India's overall Olympic medal tally stands at 35, with Abhinav Bindra and Neeraj Chopra as the only individual gold medalists. As the Paris Olympics unfold, the nation will keenly observe the performance of these athletes and their potential to contribute to the medal count.
India will kick off its campaign at the Paris Olympics with badminton. On the day after the opening ceremony, Indian athletes will be in action in badminton, rowing, shooting, tennis, table tennis, boxing, and hockey. Check out the complete schedule for July 27th here:
Badminton - Men's Singles Group Stage (H S Prannoy, Lakshya Sen), Women's Singles Group Stage (P V Sindhu), Men's Doubles Group Stage (Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty), Women's Doubles Group Stage (Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa) - 12pm onwards
Rowing - Men's Single Sculls Heats (Balraj Panwar) - 12:30pm onwards
Shooting - 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team qualification (Sandeep Singh, Arjun Babuta, Elavenil Valarivan, Ramita Jindal) - 12:30pm
Shooting - 10m Air Pistol Men's qualification (Sarabjot Singh, Arjun Cheema) - 2pm
Shooting - 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team Medal Rounds (Subject to qualification) - 2pm
Tennis - 1st round matches - Men's Singles (Sumit Nagal), Men's Doubles (Rohan Bopanna and N. Sriram Balaji) - 3:30pm onwards
Shooting - 10m Air Pistol Women's Qualification (Rhythm Sangwan, Manu Bhaker) - 4pm onwards
Table Tennis - Men's Singles (Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai) & Women's Singles (Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula) Preliminary Round - 6:30pm onwards
Boxing - Women's 54kg (Preeti Pawar), Round of 32 - 7pm onwards
Hockey - Men's Group B - India v New Zealand - 9pm
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