The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has unveiled the final contingent for the upcoming Paris Olympics, with 117 athletes gearing up to compete on the world stage. However, the list sparked controversy due to the unexpected absence of shot putter Abha Khatua.
Final India Contingent approved for Paris Olympics
The Ministry of Sports has greenlit the participation of 117 athletes, who will be accompanied by 140 support staff and officials. Among the support staff, 72 will receive government funding to assist the athletes during the Games.
Abha Khatua missing
A notable absentee from the list is Abha Khatua, a shot putter who had secured her Olympic qualification through the world rankings quota.
Her name was surprisingly omitted from the final World Athletics list of participants just days before, leading to her exclusion from the Indian contingent without any official explanation.
Limited support staff within Games village
The Indian Olympic Association received a letter from the Ministry outlining limitations on the number of support staff allowed within the Games Village.
As per the guidelines set by the Paris Organizing Committee, only 67 personnel, including 11 IOA contingent officials and five medical team members, can be accommodated.
Additional support staff funded by Government
To address the athletes’ needs beyond the limitations of the Games Village, the government has approved an additional 72 support staff, including coaches and other personnel. These individuals will be stationed in hotels or locations outside the village.
India’s 2024 Paris Olympics representation by sport
Athletics leads the pack with 29 athletes (11 women and 18 men). Shooting follows closely with 21 members, and hockey boasts a strong presence with 19 players. Other sports like table tennis (8 players), badminton (7 players including P V Sindhu), wrestling, archery, and boxing (6 representatives each) will also be represented.
Rowing, equestrian, judo, weightlifting, sailing, swimming, and tennis will each send one or two competitors.
Hope for continued success at Paris 2024
India’s Olympic contingent has grown slightly smaller compared to the 119 members who participated in Tokyo 2020. However, the nation hopes to build on its historic performance in Tokyo, where Neeraj Chopra’s gold medal in javelin throw marked India’s most successful Olympic campaign ever.
While questions remain surrounding Abha Khatua’s exclusion, the focus now shifts to the 117 athletes who will strive for excellence in Paris.
