Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet India's Paris Olympics contingent on Independence Day, 15 August. This meeting, which is expected to take place around 1 PM, will follow the Independence Day celebrations. The entire Indian contingent, comprising 117 athletes, is anticipated to be present at the event, marking a significant moment of recognition for the athletes who represented India on the global stage.
India's performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics was a blend of remarkable achievements and near misses. The contingent brought home six medals, including five bronze and one silver, narrowly missing their best-ever tally from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Despite high hopes of surpassing the ten-medal mark, several athletes finished just short of the podium, underscoring the fine margins that define Olympic success.
Among the standout performers, Neeraj Chopra, who had previously won gold in Tokyo, secured a silver medal in the javelin throw, becoming the first Indian athlete to win two Olympic medals in athletics. His achievement continues to inspire a new generation of Indian athletes.
India's shooting team also made significant contributions, with Manu Bhaker winning a bronze medal in the women's 10m air pistol event. Bhaker, alongside Sarabjot Singh, also clinched another medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, making her the first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals in the same edition.Â
In hockey, India secured a historic victory by winning a bronze medal after defeating Spain 2-1. This marked India's first back-to-back Olympic hockey medals since 1972, with Harmanpreet Singh scoring twice to help the team secure its 13th Olympic hockey medal. This win also served as a fitting farewell to veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who played a pivotal role in India’s recent successes.
In the realm of table tennis, Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula made notable progress, with Batra reaching the pre-quarterfinals and Akula advancing to the round of 16, highlighting India's growing strength in the sport.
While the Indian contingent’s efforts were commendable, the overall campaign was also marked by moments of disappointment. Several athletes came agonizingly close to medaling but ultimately fell just short, leading to a bittersweet reflection on what could have been. Nevertheless, the resilience and determination displayed by these athletes have set the stage for future successes, and their efforts will be celebrated during the Prime Minister's meeting on 15 August.
PM Modi had already expressed his support and pride in the athletes, having spoken to the medal winners and offering words of encouragement to those who narrowly missed out on the podium. His upcoming interaction with the contingent is expected to be a moment of collective pride and a recognition of the hard work and dedication that went into representing India at the Paris Olympics.
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