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The 33rd edition of the Summer Olympics, held in the French capital city, Paris, came to an end in its all glory and grandeur. India sent a total of 117 athletes at the quadrennial tournament, who aimed to bring medals to the nation and etch their name in immortality at the Paris Olympics 2024, held from July 26 to August 11. The Indian contingent came back with six medals, one silver, five bronze and zero gold. To some this might come up as a disappointing performance, but it was India’s third best campaign at Olympics.
Apart from winning medals, India had six narrow misses or six fourth place finishes that will haunt Indian fans and athletes until they don’t make up for it in the next edition. With six medals, India finished at 71st position as USA once again claimed the top spot with a total of 126 medals. Let’s have a look at who all contributed to India’s below-par medal haul at Paris 2024
Shooting
Manu Bhaker, India’s newest sporting sensation scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman to win two medals at the same edition at Olympics. Bhaker, an air pistol shooter opened India’s medal account in Paris as she also became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting. Later, Bhaker clinched another bronze in the mixed team 10m air pistol along with Sarabjot Singh and joined the likes of Sushil Kumar and PV Sindhu in the elite group of India’s double Olympic medallists.
Joining Manu and Sarabjot was Swapnil Kusale, who added third medal in shooting and made it India’s biggest haul in a single edition at one sport in Olympics. Kusale got India's first medal in the Men's 50m Rifle Three Positions event.
Hockey
The Indian men’s hockey team won their second consecutive Olympics bronze as they defeated Spain in the thrilling bronze-medal contest in Paris. With their bronze, Harmanpreet Singh and Co. gave a sweet and victorious farewell to veteran goalkeeper and former captain PR Sreejesh.
Athletics
India’s Golden Boy Neeraj Chopra became the most successful individual Olympian from India as he claimed a silver medal in men’s javelin throw. Notably, Chopra had won gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 edition of the quadrennial tournament. Chopra’s silver was the only medal won by India in athletics.
Wrestling
Aman Sehrawat, a 21-year-old wrestler from Haryana won a bronze medal in the men’s 57kg freestyle wrestling and became India’s youngest Olympic medallist. Not only this, but he was also India’s lone representative in men’s wrestling at the multi-sporting tournament.
Notably, India was in a total of 69 medal events across 16 sports at the Paris Olympics 2024.
