India at Paris Olympics 2024

Paris Olympics

Introduction

India placed 71st in the medal count in the Paris Olympics 2024, a decrease from its 48th place result in Tokyo 2020. The country had several near misses and depressing results despite taking home six medals, including one silver and five bronze, which have prompted conversations about the future of Indian sports.

What were the Highlights of India’s Performance at the Paris Olympics 2024? 

Indian athletesMedalEvent 
Manu Bhaker BronzeWomen’s 10m air pistol event 
Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot SinghBronze10m air pistol mixed team event
Swapnil Kusale BronzeMen’s 50m rifle 3 positions
Indian hockey teamBronzeMen’s hockey
Neeraj ChopraBronzeMen’s Javelin Throw 
Aman SehrawatBronzeWrestling Men’s 57kg freestyle event
  • Neeraj Chopra threw the javelin 89.45 meters to win a silver medal. He became the fifth person from India to win two medals at the same Olympics with this one.
  • The first female athlete from India to win an Olympic shooting medal was Manu Bhaker. By winning a medal in individual and mixed team competitions, she also made history as the first athlete from independent India to win two medals at the same Games.
  • Three shooting awards were won by India, counting Swapnil Kusale’s first-ever Olympic award in the 50-meter rifle three places. This was India’s greatest Olympic shooting total to date.
  • In 16 different sports, including archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, equestrian, golf, hockey, judo, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, and tennis, Indian competitors participated in 69 medal events.
  • With a fourth-place result, Lakshya Sen became the first Indian to go to the men’s badminton semifinals in the Olympics.
  • Wrestler Vinesh Phogat was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight after making it to the women’s 50 kg division finals.

Why India Struggles to Secure Medals in Paris Olympics 2024?

  • Talent Identification
    • In India, finding talent is frequently done haphazardly and with little efficiency.
    • Scouting and identifying young athletes is plagued by institutional problems, especially in rural regions.
  • Infrastructure and Resources
    • Potential talent may not grow to its full potential if they do not have access to enough financial assistance, coaching knowledge, or training facilities.
    • Due to the government’s inadequate financial support, many athletes struggle. For example, India’s best Winter Olympian, Shiva Keshavan, needed to use crowdsourcing to pay for his preparation and competition.
    • Even though India is home to an increasing number of billionaires and wealthy individuals, sponsorship and investment in sports other than cricket still lag.
  • Cricket’s Dominance
    • Due to cricket’s immense popularity in India, 87% of sports capital is devoted to the game, compared to just 13% for all other sports. This has led to an imbalance in the sports scene.
    • The growth of Olympic sports has been hampered by this uneven allotment.
    • One of the obstacles has been the absence of a strong sports culture and media promotion outside of cricket.
    • To fully fund Olympic sports and develop a more inclusive and competitive sports culture in India, a more balanced approach to sports investment and promotion is required.
  • Insufficient Sports Policies
    • India has long had a disjointed and inadequately funded sports policy.
    • Activities like the Target Olympic Platform Plot (TOPS) have been made to assist competitors and improve wearing offices.
    • These programs, nevertheless, are still in their infancy and have not yet produced noteworthy outcomes.
  • Long-term Development
    • India’s sports programs sometimes prioritize immediate results above the long-term growth of their athletes.
    • World-class athletes need years of careful planning and consistent investment.
  • Corruption and Politics in Sports Administration
    • The politicization of sports administration happens in India since lawmakers and bureaucrats regularly control sports organizations.
    • Sportsmen’s interests usually take a backseat when it comes to the growth of athletes due to corruption and bureaucratic obstacles.
    • Indian sports organizations, particularly governing bodies, rely on volunteers rather than recruiting qualified professionals since they have not adjusted to the demands of a professional and commercialized business.
    • The more general problems with Indian sports management may be seen in the current disputes within the Wrestling Federation.
  • Absence of a Sports Culture
    • In India, people tend to value education more than athletics. Families sometimes place a higher value on jobs in industries like accountancy or medicine because they consider athletics less financially secure.
    • The intricate social hierarchy in India, closely linked to caste and regional identity, makes it more difficult for a cohesive sports culture to emerge. Elite athletics are discouraged in many societies, which place more emphasis on traditional roles.

What can India do to Improve its Olympic Performance? 

  • Grassroots Development: The development of sports at the grassroots level requires more attention. Building a solid foundation may benefit from spotting and developing potential early on in a variety of sports.
  • Investment in Infrastructure: It is imperative to provide top-notch training facilities and give athletes access to the greatest coaching and support networks. This covers injury care, diet, and psychological assistance.
  • Empowering Athletes: Since athletes are the main participants in sports, their input into decision-making may help sports organizations gain much-needed accountability and openness.
  • Collegiate Sports System: The National College Athletics Association (NCAA) in the United States can be replicated in India’s college athletics system.
  • Cultural Shift: Views regarding sports in society must change. Sports integration within the educational system and family support for youngsters pursuing sports careers may both be beneficial.
  • Increased Government Support: The government needs to finance Olympic sports in a more reliable and significant manner. This covers funding for coaching and exposure abroad in addition to providing athletes with direct assistance.
  • Focusing on Growth: For the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, India has to increase its number of competitors thrice from 117 to better compete against the US and Japan, which have more than 600 and 400 athletes, respectively.

Conclusion

India’s performance at the Paris Olympics 2024 reflected both triumphs and challenges. With six medals, including historic achievements by athletes like Neeraj Chopra and Manu Bhaker, the nation showcased resilience despite setbacks. However, systemic issues in talent identification, infrastructure, and sports policies hindered optimal performance. To secure a brighter Olympic future, India must prioritize grassroots development, enhance infrastructure, and foster a cultural shift towards embracing diverse sports, ensuring sustained support for athletes’ long-term growth.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

  • How many Indian players qualified for the Paris Olympics in 2024?

    There were 117 athletes from India participating in the games this year: 110 competitors and 7 alternates, together with 118 support personnel and 22 officials. As the Chef de mission or chief of mission, Gagan Narang was selected, with Shiva Keshavan serving as his deputy.

  • How many golds has India won in the Paris Olympics in 2024?

    India finished the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with one gold medal and six medals overall, albeit one fewer than it had at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

  • Who got the silver medal for India in the Paris Olympics in 2024?

    In the men’s 57kg freestyle competition, Aman Sehrawat took home a bronze medal, while Neeraj Chopra took home a silver medal in the men’s javelin throw. They, too, hail from Haryana.

  • Where is India in the Paris Olympics in 2024?

    Six medals from 117 competitors. While some view India’s Olympic campaign in Paris in 2024 as a letdown, this is the country’s third-best showing ever. The perception of these Games is narrow, as seen by the six fourth-place results.

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