India Wraps Up Paris Olympics with 6 Medals: Triumphs, Close Calls, and a Controversy
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/11th August 2024
India’s campaign at the Paris Olympics concluded with a mix of notable achievements and near misses, ultimately securing six medals, including one silver and five bronze. The final stretch saw Reetika Hooda falling short in the wrestling quarterfinals, while golfers Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar missed out on medal placements.
A record 117 Indian athletes competed across 16 sports, ranging from archery and athletics to shooting and tennis. Despite high expectations for surpassing the nation’s previous best at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where India earned seven medals, the Paris Games highlighted both significant milestones and missed opportunities.
Athletics, led by a 29-member squad, was a standout area for India. Notably, Neeraj Chopra, who previously won gold in Tokyo, achieved a second-place finish with a javelin throw of 89.45 meters. Although he missed out on gold, his silver medal marked only the second time India has medaled in athletics at the Olympics, joining him with Sushil Kumar and PV Sindhu as two-time Olympic medalists.
In shooting, Manu Bhaker made history as the first Indian woman to secure an Olympic shooting medal. Bhaker’s performance was exceptional, as she clinched two bronze medals—one in the women’s 10m air pistol and another in the mixed team event with Sarabjot Singh. This achievement established a new record for India, securing three medals in shooting at the Paris Olympics, surpassing their previous best of two medals in London 2012.
The men’s shooting team also made headlines with Swapnil Kusale’s bronze in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions, marking India’s first Olympic medal in this event and setting a new record for the most medals in a single sport at the Olympics.
Indian hockey also made significant strides, with the men’s team achieving back-to-back Olympic podium finishes for the first time in over five decades. A thrilling 3-2 victory over Australia in the group stages and a subsequent 2-1 win against Spain in the bronze medal match showcased the team’s resilience and skill, securing their 13th Olympic hockey medal.
Among the standout performers was Aman Sehrawat, who at 21 became the youngest individual Olympic medallist from India by winning bronze in the 57kg men’s freestyle wrestling. Additionally, Manika Batra’s advancement to the pre-quarterfinals in table tennis and Sreeja Akula’s progress to the round-of-16 added to India’s notable performances.
However, the Games were not without disappointments. Several athletes experienced near misses, including Mirabai Chanu, who finished fourth in the women’s 49kg weightlifting, and the wrestlers Arjun Babuta and Manu Bhaker, who narrowly missed out on medals. In archery, Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat delivered India’s best-ever performance in the mixed team event, finishing fourth after a tight contest.
The Paris Olympics also saw Vinesh Phogat disqualified from her final bout in the women’s 50kg wrestling category due to weight issues, which led to her retirement announcement and highlighted the strict weight regulations athletes face.
Despite these setbacks, India’s performance at the Paris Olympics has been a testament to the country’s growing prowess in various sports, marking both significant achievements and valuable lessons for future competitions.
