Au Revoir, Paris: Till We Win Again!!

India’s tryst with Olympics 2024 comes to an end with a total tally of 6 medals with a slight hope of a 7^th if the verdict for Vinesh Phogat comes in India’s favor. This definitely is not our best medal tally in Olympics, although I believe this shouldn’t be the sole benchmarking barometer. The thought is in sharp contrast to the modern “only-result” oriented world, however this is a gradual process and clearly India has made significant progress in promoting grassroot improvements capable of producing world’s best athletes and making them serious contenders of podium spots in coming years.

While Javelin, Hockey and wrestling made India feature in back-to-back Olympic medals, it was shooting that garnered highest number of medals after a long hiatus since last Olympic medal won in London, 2012. The category also featured multiple 4^th place finishes for India and closely evading Manu Bhaker from being the most decorated Olympian from Independent India.

Far impressive have been the age at which these medals have been won. Neeraj Chopra is still 26 (was 23 when he won Gold), Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh are 22 each while Aman Shehrawat is 21. Clearly depicts the hard work that has gone at ground levels in making them ready physically and more importantly, mentally. With age well on their sides, hope that they are well nurtured and establish bright illustrious careers as for India, people have always looked up to indigenous role models before exuding world dominance.

There has been share of disappointments too. India has long invested in archery and badminton with fair share of representation. Both these categories had a 4^th place finish but the overall performance had been sub-par. I feel the main issue was of mental toughness and consistency for there were clear advantages given away at critical junctures. Lakshya Sen stood out for me in badminton and just as Axelsen said, he should be a prime contender in subsequent championships.

Boxing went without medal too however the early bouts with higher seeded boxers did play a part in snatching the medal opportunity. Also, frequent changes in coaching staff in last 3 years did weaken the overall contention. Similar internal turmoil in wrestling resulted in only 1 medal which was clearly dominated in last Olympics by Indian men.

With a land of over 1.4 Billion people, a representation of 117 athletes is far too less and India is still lagging far behind. However, for a country which has long been obsessed with only a single sport, there have been gradual and continuous signs of improvement. Needless to mention, Indians have full indigenous participation unlike some of the other nations.

India need to imbibe some good practices from China who have been a regular podium finisher and the only nation to topple US in medal tally for last 30 years. India and China had once been at similar geo-political situation but the latter had surpassed global development in every sphere through their own policies. Participation and skillset in categories like swimming and athletics, which have the highest medal opportunities, remain subdued for both the nations with India in particular.      

Bidding adieu to this version of Olympics, with an ongoing unfulfilled desire of seeing India’s national anthem play in an European country. Though the hopes remain firm.

P.S: The above are my personal thoughts and based on my own research. Difference in opinion from others is welcomed.