As the curtain fell on the 2024 Paris Olympics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to commend the efforts of Indian athletes.
In a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi said, “All the athletes have given their best, and every Indian is proud of them. Wishing our sporting heroes the best for their upcoming endeavours.”
India’s performance in Paris Olympics 2024
India concluded the Paris Games in the 71st position, securing one silver and five bronze medals. A total of 117 Indian athletes competed across 16 sports, including archery, athletics, badminton, and boxing. Despite high hopes, the contingent fell short of surpassing the country’s previous best at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where India had won seven medals.
Historic achievements and near misses
While the medal tally did not meet expectations, Indian athletes made history in Paris. Pistol shooter Manu Bhaker became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic shooting medal, clinching bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event. Partnering with Sarabjot Singh, she also won bronze in the mixed team event, marking India’s first Olympic medal in this category.
Swapnil Kusale’s bronze in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions set a new record for India’s best-ever medal tally in a single sport at the Olympics, further elevating the nation’s profile in shooting.
Neeraj Chopra’s silver and other feat
Neeraj Chopra, India’s star javelin thrower, added another feather to his cap with a silver medal in Paris, making him India’s second two-time Olympic medallist in athletics. His throw of 89.45m was the second-best of his career, but he was outdone by Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who set a new Olympic record.
Hockey Glory and Wrestling Prodigy
India’s men’s hockey team continued their resurgence, winning a bronze medal by defeating Spain 2-1 in a thrilling playoff. This victory marked India’s 13th Olympic hockey medal and their first back-to-back podium finishes in 52 years.
In wrestling, Aman Sehrawat made history by becoming the youngest Indian to win an Olympic medal. At just 21 years old, he secured a bronze in the 57kg men’s freestyle category, breaking PV Sindhu’s record as the youngest Indian Olympic medallist.
What’s ahead of Indian athletes?
As India’s athletes return home from Paris, they do so with heads held high. Their performances, marked by resilience and historic firsts, have made the nation proud. With PM Modi’s encouragement, the country looks forward to even greater achievements in future sporting endeavours.
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