Paris Olympics 2024 | India review: Triumphs, trials, and takeaways

The Paris Olympics 2024 presented a blend of triumphs and tribulations for India, characterized by deep disappointment and unexpected victories. The soul-wrenching disqualification of Vinesh Phogat thwarted what could have been one of the greatest comebacks on the grandest stage. A silver medal, though commendable, felt like a setback rather than a success. The joy and optimism came from Manu Bhaker's surprise double in shooting, which offered a glimmer of hope amid a slew of six fourth-place finishes that left a lingering sense of frustration.

At the outset, a double-digit medal tally seemed overly ambitious. However, near misses prompted reflections of ‘what if'. What if shuttler Lakshya Sen had not experienced an inexplicable collapse in the bronze medal match? What if archer Deepika Kumari had not missed a crucial shot against Korea in the quarterfinals? What if Mirabai Chanu had lifted just one more kilogram? The unexpected absence of medals around the necks of shuttlers Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, coupled with the surprising skeet medal win by the relatively unknown Swapnil Kusale, highlighted the unpredictability of the Olympics.

While six medals from a 117-strong contingent fall short of ideal, they underscore a blend of elation, hope, frustration, and heartache. India fell short of the seven medals won in Tokyo but had those six fourth-place finishes turned into medals, a double-digit tally might have been within reach.

Hockey heroes

The men's hockey team faced skepticism regarding their ability to secure a second consecutive Olympic medal. Although they did not surpass their Tokyo success, the manner in which they defeated Australia, battled Belgium, and handled the pressure against Germany and Britain demonstrated significant mental resilience.

Under the leadership of Harmanpreet Singh, this team, initially seen as underdogs, performed like champions, signaling the return of glory days for India's national game. The stage was set perfectly for the beloved veteran PR Sreejesh to bid farewell, having played a pivotal role in the revival of hockey. The Paris Olympics 2024 also marked the end of the Olympic careers of tennis player Rohan Bopanna and table tennis player Sharath Kamal. Moreover, there is speculation that legendary shuttler PV Sindhu may not participate in the 2028 Olympics.

A dream deferred

While Sreejesh received a fitting send-off, Phogat's journey in Paris ended with a profound emotional scar. Her disqualification, despite her victory, was a cruel twist of fate. The loss was not due to a lack of skill or effort but rather a technicality that deprived her of a medal. Phogat, who had consistently performed at a high level leading up to the Games, deserved an Olympic medal. The pre-Olympic turbulence and formidable opponent Yui Susaki could not deter her spirit, but a mere 100 grams of body weight did. Phogat announced her retirement from the sport following this setback and is awaiting a decision on her appeal against the disqualification.

Shooters' redemption

The shooting contingent, led by the young Bhaker, emerged as a beacon of hope for India. Bhaker's impressive double-medal performance was a significant triumph, with her adding a bronze in the mixed team 10m air pistol event alongside Sarabjot Singh. Bhaker's achievements placed her in a league of her own, proving her ability to handle the immense pressure of expectations. Her coach, Jaspal Rana, played a crucial role in helping her stay focused amidst the noise. While Bhaker's success was anticipated, Kusale's skeet shooting medal was an unexpected bonus. The potential disappointment of shooters failing to deliver once again was averted, and their performance played a key role in India's overall tally.

Neeraj's silver lining

Chopra sparked hopes for another gold when he topped the qualification with a season-best throw of 89.45 meters. Despite a nagging adductor injury, he was expected to defend his title. However, Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem delivered a remarkable throw of 92.97 meters, surpassing Neeraj's best attempt of 89.34 meters. The high expectations surrounding Chopra meant that even a silver medal felt like a disappointment.

Boxing falls short, wrestling redeems

India's boxing contingent fell short, with no boxer advancing to the medal rounds. The defeat of Nishant Dev was particularly disheartening, while Nikhat Zareen also exited in tears. However, Aman Sehrawat provided a glimmer of hope by securing a medal in wrestling. As the sole Indian male wrestler, Aman proved his mettle in the highly competitive 57kg category, contributing to wrestling's streak of delivering medals at every Games. Unfortunately, wrestlers Antim Panghal and Anshu Malik underperformed, their fitness issues evident in their results.