The Paris pursuit: India eyes first-ever double-digit medal haul as the Games open today
Paris today with an audacious ceremony on the River Seine, the 117-strong Indian contingent begins their own audacious attempt at a first-ever double-digit medal haul. It may sound ambitious, but it’s not a pipe dream.
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Paris could be a game changer for Indian sports going forward. With the best-ever medal hauls at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics (7) and 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games (106), athletes have raised hopes that, for the first time in its history, India can win 10 or more medals at the Olympics.
A good showing in Paris would likely result in robust corporate backing for Olympic sports, ensuring the momentum gained in Tokyo and Hangzhou is sustained. This presents a big opportunity for Olympic athletes to strengthen their position in the cricket-dominated Indian market. A lacklustre performance, on the other hand, would reinforce India’s status as a cricket-obsessed nation, rendering any discussions of transforming into a multisport country unsuccessful.
This happened after the 2012 Olympics, where India won six medals – the best show till then. And then, within a few months, the IOA was suspended for corrupt practices and the momentum fizzled out. Just two medals in Rio 2016 were proof that Indian sport had gone downhill.
For the first time ever, India has sent 21 shooters and grabbed the quota in every category. Going by the current form, not winning
