Picture Credit: X
It was a historic day for India at the Paris Olympics as the Indian men’s hockey team sealed a bronze, beating Spain by 2-1 scoreline at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir in Paris. However, India’s ‘Golden Boy” Neeraj Chopra could not defend his gold at the Summer Games, but instead settled for a silver with 89.45m throw while Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem took home the gold, setting an Olympic record with a 92.97m throw.
In this article, we will go through all the big news that took place on Thursday, August 8 at the Paris 2024.
Athletics
Neeraj Chopra secures sliver with throw of 89.45m in Paris 2024
Indian thrower Neeraj Chopra registered a best throw of 89.45m in the final of the men's javelin event at the Paris Olympics 2024 and settled for a silver behind Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem. With his second attempt, the 26-year-old had a throw of 89.45m, a season-best. But the Pakistani created a new Olympic record with a 92.97m throw and took gold.
Avinash Sable finishes 11th in men’s 3000m steeplechase final
Indian athlete Avinash Sable’s medal dreams ended after he finished 11th in men’s 3000m steeplechase final. Sable couldn’t maintain and his pace and his performance fell short of expectations as he clocked a timing of 8 minutes 14.18 seconds. The race was won by Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco in a season’s best time of 8 minutes 06.05 seconds.
Wrestling
Vinesh Phogat announces retirement after Paris 2024 disqualification
Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who faced disqualification on the day of her gold medal match at Paris Olympics 2024, announced retirement. Visibly distraught with what happened to her after she assured India of at least a silver, frustrated Phogat took to social media and said that she lost against wrestling. Phogat took to X to announce her decision and tweeted that she doesn’t have anymore strength left.
Aman Sehrawat loses in semifinal; to fight for Men's 57 kg bronze
Indian wrestler Aman Sehrawat suffered a crushing defeat by technical superiority against top-seeded Rei Higuchi in the Men's 57 kg freestyle event in the Paris Olympics 2024. Sehrawat will play for a bronze medal on August 9 against Darian Cruz of Puerto Rico. Sehrawat completed a dominant 12-0 victory by technical superiority over fourth-seeded Albania’s Zelimkhan Abakarov in the quarterfinal.
Vinesh Phogat’s medal hopes stay alive as CAS accepts her appeal
Indian wrester Vinesh Phogat can win a silver at the Paris Olympics 2024 after the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) accepted her protest. Notably, Phogat filed an appeal in the CAS following her disqualification from the women’s freestyle 50kg final at Paris Olympics 2024. As per several sources, if CAS rules in the favour, then IOC will have to award a joint silver to Vinesh.
Sarah Hildebrandt reacts to Vinesh Phogat’s Paris disqualification
After winning the gold medal in the women’s 50kg wrestling event at the Paris Olympics 2024, Sarah Ann Hildebrandt spoke about the chaos surrounding the disqualification of her compatriot Vinesh Phogat from India. The American was scheduled to take on Vinesh Phogat in the gold medal match, but the Indian was ousted from the Olympics after being found 100gms overweight.
Hockey
India win bronze medal after defeating Spain 2-1 at Paris Olympics
On Thursday, August 8, the Indian men’s hockey team defeated Spain 2-1 to win a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. At the Stade Yves-du-Manoir, India were behind a goal in the second quarter, but they came from behind to take home their second straight bronze medal at the Olympic Games in men’s hockey.
Australian hockey star arrested in Paris for trying to buy cocaine
Thomas Craig, the Australian men’s hockey player, has reportedly got himself arrested in Paris for trying to buy cocaine during the ongoing Olympics. Although the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) haven’t officially named the identity of the men’s hockey player arrested in Paris, they did confirm that the incident happened with a statement on Wednesday, August 7.
Others
Abhinav Bindra calls Vinesh Phogat “warrior” in heartfelt message
Abhinav Bindra, the first individual gold medallist for India at the Olympic Games, posted a heartfelt message for Vinesh Phogat on his official X account after meeting her at the Paris 2024 athletes village. The 41-year-old called Vinesh Phogat a fighter who embodies “the true spirit of a warrior,” following her disqualification from the women’s 50kg wrestling event in Paris.
