After a successful performance at the Tokyo Olympics, India is setting its sights on the upcoming Paris Games. With a smaller contingent this time around, all eyes will be on javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who won the nation's only gold medal in Tokyo. However, there are some setbacks for India's team, such as long jumper Murali Sreeshankar having to pull out due to an injury and notable athletes Kidambi Srikanth and Bajrang Punia not participating. Nevertheless, the country remains hopeful for a successful run in Paris.
India's Preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
After India's impressive performance at the Tokyo Olympics, where it won seven medals including Neeraj Chopra's historic gold in javelin throw, the country is geared up for the upcoming Paris Games. However, India will field a smaller contingent this time around, and there are some notable setbacks for the team.
Smaller Contingent, High Hopes
India's contingent for the Paris Olympics is expected to be smaller than the one that competed in Tokyo. The country has been allocated 60 to 70 quota places across various sports, compared to 122 in 2021. This reduction is attributed to changes in qualifying criteria and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the smaller contingent, India remains hopeful for a successful run in Paris. The focus will be on Neeraj Chopra, who is India's best medal hope. Other athletes to watch include PV Sindhu (badminton), Saurabh Chaudhary (shooting), and Ravi Dahiya (wrestling).
Setbacks for the Team
India's Olympic preparations have been hampered by some setbacks. Long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, who was a medal contender in Tokyo, has pulled out due to an injury. Other notable athletes who will not be participating include Kidambi Srikanth (badminton) and Bajrang Punia (wrestling).
Government Support and Training Facilities
The Indian government is providing significant support to Olympic-bound athletes. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has created a comprehensive training program, including foreign training stints and access to world-class facilities. The government is also investing in infrastructure development, such as the construction of a new national stadium in Delhi.
Top 5 FAQs on India's Olympic Preparations and History
1. Who is India's most decorated Olympian? Abhinav Bindra, with one gold medal in shooting (2008 Beijing)
2. What is the name of India's first Olympic medal winner? Norman Pritchard, bronze medal in 200m and 200m hurdles (1900 Paris)
3. Which sport has won the most medals for India at the Olympics? Hockey, with 12 medals (8 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze)
4. What was India's best performance at the Olympics? London 2012, with 6 medals (2 silver, 4 bronze)
5. Which Indian athlete has won the most individual Olympic medals? Leander Paes, with a bronze medal in tennis singles (1996 Atlanta) and a bronze medal in doubles (2004 Athens)
Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw showed his softer side by sharing an endearing message for social media influencer and actress Akriti Agarwal. The duo recently celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi together, giving fans a glimpse of their camaraderie. Despite facing a setback in the 2025 IPL auction, Shaw is determined to make a strong comeback with his new team and has been working hard to improve his batting skills, according to Maharashtra's chief selector Akshay Darekar.
With a chance to continue their winning streak, Manchester United head to the Etihad for a heated derby match against Manchester City. Despite City's recent struggles, United should not underestimate their rivals as both teams are vying for dominance in the Premier League. However, with last season's win at the Etihad and a confident Ruben Amorim at the helm, United are poised to secure another victory. Meanwhile, the speculation surrounding the future of Manchester United's manager continues, with names like Zinedine Zidane and Sean Dyche being thrown into the mix.
In a thrilling match at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, Spanish champions Barcelona put on a masterclass performance against Valencia. The highlight of the game was Marcus Rashford's top-notch assist for Barcelona's second goal, showing his potential as a loanee from Manchester United. With Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski also scoring and the use of VAR, it was a night to remember for Barcelona's fans.
After being sidelined for 383 days due to a major injury, FC Barcelona's Marc Bernal made a stunning comeback during the team's clash with Valencia. The 18-year-old was greeted by a standing ovation from his teammates and fans as he stepped onto the pitch. In just a few minutes, he made an impact by assisting in the team's 6-0 win. This comeback marks a major milestone in Bernal's journey as a player and he will be looking to continue building on this next step in his career.
In a thrilling and high stakes match, India proved their superiority over Pakistan, winning by seven wickets. However, the Indian team's decision to not shake hands with their opponents and captain Suryakumar Yadav's dedication of the win to the armed forces sparked controversy and questions. India's victory was aided by impressive performances from players like Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Abhishek Sharma, who was hailed by Suryakumar as the player of the match. The win has secured India a spot in the Super 4s of the Asia Cup, making it a happy birthday for Suryakumar, who also achieved his personal goal of staying on the crease till the end. With the return of Sourav Ganguly as the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Indian cricket is looking to maintain its strong and successful legacy.
India's Kuldeep Yadav takes 3 wickets and Suryakumar Yadav dedicates win to Armed Forces at post-match presentation while Afridi's 36 runs not enough for Pakistan In a highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup, Pakistan's batting proved to be no match for India's spinners, with Kuldeep Yadav taking 3 wickets and restricting Pakistan to 127 runs. Suryakumar Yadav also shone with his statement dedicating the win to India's Armed Forces. In a dominant display, India easily chased the target in just 16 overs with a brilliant performance from Suryakumar and Afridi's cameo not enough for Pakistan.
The India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 has been a controversial topic, with some calling for it to be cancelled following recent events. However, the Indian Supreme Court has given the green signal for the match to proceed, citing the new Sports Bill which allows for multi-team tournaments but restricts bilateral ties. The court also declined to list an urgent PIL seeking cancellation of the match.
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to kick off their journey in the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 with a clash against each other. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India is seen as one of the leading contenders for the title, with a strong batting unit and a well-rounded bowling attack. On the other hand, UAE, led by Muhammad Waseem, is the underdog in this match, but will aim to put up a tough fight in front of their home crowd. With live streaming and telecast details available, fans are eagerly waiting for the showdown between these two teams.
Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah proved why he's considered one of the best bowlers in the world as he made a successful T20I comeback against UAE in the Asia Cup 2025. With a searing yorker, Bumrah knocked over opening batter Alishan Sharafu, giving his team an early breakthrough. However, former India captain Ajay Jadeja felt that the star bowler should have been rested for the match against a weaker UAE side. Although there are concerns about his workload, Bumrah continues to shine on the field.
In their opening game of the 2025 Asia Cup, India displayed a dominant performance against the UAE, winning by a staggering margin of 103 runs. Kuldeep Yadav's four-wicket haul and Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy and batting prowess led the team to victory. This marks India's first T20 match since February and the team showed no signs of rustiness, asserting their status as one of the top teams in the format.