The Paris Olympics 2024 concluded with the United States taking the top spot on the medal table. The American athletes combined a total of 126 medals which included 40 gold, 44 silver and 42 bronze medals. This remarkable performance set their place as the leading nation in this global sporting event.
China followed closely in second place, finishing their Olympic campaign with a total of 91 medals. The Chinese athletes brought home 40 gold, 27 silver and 24 bronze medals showcasing their consistent excellence across various sports.
Japan secured the third position, earning a total of 45 medals. The Japanese contingent achieved 20 gold, 12 silver, and 13 bronze medals, marking another successful Olympic outing for the host of the previous Games.
On the other hand, Team India finished in the 71st position on the overall medal tally. The Indian athletes managed to secure six medals in total, which included one silver and five bronze medals. Despite the modest tally, these achievements held significant importance for the nation.
India's contingent, comprising 117 athletes had participated in various events with hopes of bringing glory to the nation. Manu Bhaker played a pivotal role in this achievement by winning India’s first medal at these Games. She earned a bronze in Olympic shooting by becoming the first Indian woman to do so. Bhaker then made history by securing a second medal in the same Olympic edition, a rare feat for an Indian athlete. Along with Sarabjot Singh, she won a bronze in the mixed team 10m air pistol event by marking India’s first team medal in Olympic shooting.
Swapnil Kusale added to India's medal tally by securing the country's third medal in shooting. His achievement was particularly notable as it marked India's first-ever medal in the 50m rifle three positions event, contributing to the nation’s most successful draw in shooting at a single Olympics.
India's Olympic Successes and Setbacks:
- Bronze Medal Glory for Indian Hockey Team: The Indian men's hockey team secured their second consecutive bronze medal, repeating their Tokyo 2020 success in Paris.
- Neeraj Chopra's Olympic Legacy: Neeraj Chopra enhanced his Olympic legacy by claiming silver in the javelin throw by becoming India's most successful individual Olympian.
- Youngest Olympic Medalist: Aman Sehrawat made history by becoming India's youngest Olympic medallist and securing bronze in wrestling.
- Disappointments and Close Calls: Despite these achievements, India faced significant disappointments by narrowly missing out on six potential medals. Athletes like Lakshya Sen, Mirabai Chanu, and Manu Bhaker finished fourth in their events.
- Historic Achievement in Archery: The mixed team archery duo of Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat made history by becoming the first Indian archers to reach an Olympic medal match, although they lost the bronze medal match.
Setbacks for Indian Athletes:
Other setbacks for India included:
- Star badminton pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty missed out on a medal despite being in fine form
- PV Sindhu failed to secure a hat-trick of medals at three successive Olympics
Overall Performance
India's Olympic performance was a mix of successes and setbacks with athletes showcasing their talent and potential for future growth.
Challenges for India’s Star Athletes at the Paris Olympics 2024
The Paris Olympics 2024 proved to be a challenging event for some of India's most seasoned and celebrated athletes. Among them, veteran archer and multiple-time Olympian Deepika Kumari faced disappointment as she failed to secure a medal. Despite her vast experience and success in various non-Olympic competitions, Kumari was unable to translate her previous achievements into Olympic success this time.
In boxing, hopes were high for Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain, the latter being a bronze medalist in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. However, both athletes fell short of expectations, leaving the country without the much-anticipated boxing medals that many had hoped for.
Another significant setback occurred in wrestling, where Vinesh Phogat, one of India's top wrestlers was disqualified just before what could have been a historic final in the women’s 50 kg category. Her disqualification was a major blow to the nation’s medal hopes, further compounding the challenges faced by the Indian contingent.
Indian athletes participated in a wide range of events at these Games, competing in 69 medal events across 16 sports. These sports included archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, equestrian, golf, hockey, judo, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, and tennis. Despite their efforts across these disciplines, the desired success was elusive for many of the athletes.
The Indian team featured several returning Olympic medalists including javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, badminton star PV Sindhu, weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, boxer Lovlina Borgohain and members of the Indian men’s hockey team led by Harmanpreet Singh. While these athletes had previously brought Olympic glory to India, the challenges of the Paris Games highlighted the unpredictable nature of sports at the highest level where past success does not always guarantee future victories.
Challenges Facing Indian Athletes: An In-Depth Look into Insufficient Financial Support
A significant number of Indian athletes grapple with the challenge of securing adequate funding to cover their training and competition expenses. Financial constraints often act as a tough barrier by making it difficult for athletes to focus entirely on honing their skills and excelling in their sport. The burden of worrying about how to afford necessities distracts them from their training and performance, ultimately hindering their potential for success.
Inadequate Sports Infrastructure
In many regions across India, the infrastructure required for proper sports training and competition is severely lacking. This inadequacy manifests in various forms such as the scarcity of well-equipped facilities, the absence of essential sports gear and a shortage of qualified coaching staff and support personnel. Without these critical resources, athletes find themselves at a disadvantage by being unable to fully develop their talents or compete effectively.
Scarcity of Professional Opportunities
The limited number of professional sports leagues in India presents another significant challenge for athletes aspiring to compete at the highest levels. Even when opportunities do arise, they are often insufficiently compensated which leads to leaving athletes without the financial stability needed to pursue their careers in sports full-time. This lack of professional avenues forces many athletes to consider alternative career paths, thereby stifling the growth of sports in the country.
. . .
References: