During the Paris 2024 Olympics, India fielded 117 athletes, securing six medals—one silver and five bronze. Key highlights included Manu Bhaker’s historic achievements in shooting, Neeraj Chopra’s silver in javelin, and Aman Sehrawat’s bronze in wrestling. Despite these successes, India faced disappointments with numerous fourth-place finishes and disqualifications, revealing the competitive challenges they navigate. Overall, the Games contributed to India’s ongoing Olympic legacy.
The Paris 2024 Olympics saw a contingent of 117 Indian athletes competing from July 26 to August 11, aiming for medals and historic achievements. India secured a total of six medals: one silver and five bronze, marking a competitive but challenging event for the nation. Notably, Manu Bhaker shone by winning India’s first medal—a bronze—in women’s shooting, becoming the first Indian woman to earn an Olympic shooting medal. She later won a second medal alongside Sarabjot Singh in the mixed team 10m air pistol event.
Shooting proved to be a highlight for India as Swapnil Kusale contributed a third medal, bringing India’s total in this sport to three for the Olympics—the highest ever for shooting in one edition. The men’s hockey team mirrored their success from Tokyo 2020 by securing a bronze medal while Neeraj Chopra added to his accolades with a silver in javelin, solidifying his status as India’s most successful Olympian.
Aman Sehrawat claimed bronze in wrestling, earning the distinction of being India’s youngest Olympic medallist. However, the Olympics also brought disappointment, as India narrowly missed out on six potential medals, finishing in fourth place in several events, including those by athletes like Lakshya Sen and Mirabai Chanu. Adding to the disappointment, Vinesh Phogat was disqualified prior to a historic final, which compounded India’s struggles in Paris.
Indian athletes participated in 69 events across 16 sports, showcasing a wide-ranging talent pool. Notable returning medallists included Neeraj Chopra, badminton player PV Sindhu, and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, each bringing experience to the team. Overall, India has achieved 41 Olympic medals since its debut at the Games, with significant milestones occurring over the years, including its first medal at the Paris 1900 Olympics and the introduction of female athletes to the medal tally.
The men’s hockey team remains the largest contributor to India’s medal count with 13 Olympic medals, including eight golden wins. In contrast, India recorded its best overall performance at Tokyo 2020, with a total of seven medals earned—including one gold—highlighting the nation’s growing prowess in international sports competition.
India’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics showcased a mix of triumphs and setbacks, with six medals secured, including notable achievements in shooting and hockey. The event underscored both the potential of Indian athletes and the heartbreak of near misses. This Olympics further solidified India’s historical sporting legacy, demonstrating the evolving competitive spirit of its athletes on the global stage.
Original Source: www.olympics.com
