Introduction

India’s performance at the Paris Olympics 2024 has raised concerns. The country won six medals, fewer than the seven earned at the Tokyo Olympics. Despite having a population of 1.4 billion, India ranked 71st in the medal tally, a significant drop from 48th place in 2021. With only one silver and five bronze medals, the results have been disappointing for a nation with so much potential. This article looks at India’s performance, highlighting both the successes and shortcomings, and explores what needs to be done to make India a top sporting nation.

A Glimpse into the Paris Olympics 2024

• The Paris Olympics, officially known as the Summer Olympic Games 2024, took place from 24 July to 11 August 2024, in France.
• The event, branded with the motto “Games Wide Open,” witnessed the participation of 10,714 athletes from 206 nations, competing across 329 events in 32 different sports.
• A significant highlight of these games was the debut of Breaking as an Olympic sport.
• In terms of performance, the United States topped the medal table with 40 gold medals and a total of 126 medals. China followed closely, also with 40 gold medals but a lesser total of 91 medals.
• For the first time in Summer Olympic history, there was a tie in the number of gold medals at the top of the table.
• Japan finished third with 20 gold medals and sixth in the overall medal count.

India’s Performance: Hits

Despite the overall underperformance, there were several bright spots in India’s Olympic campaign:

1. Neeraj Chopra’s Back-to-Back Medal in Athletics: Neeraj Chopra continued his remarkable form, securing a silver medal in the men’s javelin throw. He became the third Indian to win two consecutive individual medals at the Olympics, reinforcing his status as one of India’s top athletes.
2. Strong Showing in Shooting: Indian shooters showcased their potential, with Manu Bhaker winning a bronze in the 25m sports pistol, Swapnil Kusale securing a bronze in the 50m rifle 3-position, and the mixed team pair of Sarabjot Singh and Manu Bhaker also clinching a bronze in the 10m air pistol.
3. Wrestling: A Reliable Source of Medals: Wrestler Aman Sehrawat earned a bronze medal, continuing India’s consistent medal-winning streak in wrestling since 2008. Wrestling remains a sport that rarely disappoints Indian fans.
4. Resurgence of Indian Hockey: The Indian men’s hockey team secured a bronze medal, marking the second consecutive Olympic Games where India won a medal in hockey. This result reflects the ongoing resurgence of Indian hockey on the global stage.

India’s Performance: Misses

However, the Indian contingent also faced several setbacks:

1. Absence of a Gold Medal: India matched its London 2012 tally with six medals (one silver and five bronze), but the failure to secure even a single gold medal was a major disappointment. Particularly, Pakistan, with a smaller contingent, managed to finish with a gold medal and a higher standing in the medal table.
2. Vinesh Phogat’s Disqualification: A major blow to India’s medal hopes came with the unexpected disqualification of  Vinesh Phogat after she reached the women’s 50kg wrestling final. This denied India a potential gold or silver medal.
3. Six Fourth-Place Finishes: Six near-misses in the form of fourth-place finishes prevented India from adding six potential bronze medals to its tally. Shooters Arjun Babuta and the mixed team of Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Maheshwari Chauhan, the archery mixed team of Ankita Bhakat and B. Dhiraj, shuttler Lakshya Sen, and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu all fell just short in their respective events.
4. Disappointments in Badminton, Boxing, and Archery: Boxers Nishant Dev and Lovlina Borgohain lost in the quarterfinals, missing out on medals. Badminton, a sport that has brought India medals since 2012, failed to deliver this time, and the archery team once again left the Olympics without a medal.

Analyzing the Underperformance: Key Reasons

1. Athlete Mismanagement: Mismanagement and inadequate support for athletes emerged as critical issues. For example, Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification highlighted systemic failures in athlete management.
2. Lack of Consistency and Performance Pressure: The six fourth-place finishes underscored a lack of consistency and the tendency of athletes to succumb to performance pressure. Many athletes who had leads in their matches failed to convert them into victories due to mental fatigue and insufficient psychological support.
3. Issues within Sports Federations : Indian sports federations continue to suffer from politicization, favoritism, and corruption, leading to inefficiencies in athlete management and development. For instance, confusion over Phogat’s weight category and Nikhat Zareen’s lack of match-day training are indicative of deeper systemic issues.
4. Inadequate Infrastructure and Training Facilities: Indian athletes often struggle with access to high-quality coaching, training programs, and competitive exposure, in stark contrast to athletes from other top sporting nations.
5. Celebrity-Driven Sports Funding: While spending on elite athletes has increased, it remains celebrity-driven and lacks foresight. Many high-profile Indian Olympians failed to deliver their best performances, raising questions about the accountability of such funding.
6. Cultural and Systemic Barriers: The cultural emphasis on academics over sports has historically limited the pool of athletes pursuing sports as a career. This societal mindset needs to change if India aims to become a sporting powerhouse.
7. Inconsistent Government Support: Although sports funding and support have improved, the prioritization of sports infrastructure and education remains low compared to other social issues. This lack of long-term investment hinders the development of a robust sports culture in India.

Conclusion

India’s performance at the Paris Olympics 2024 was a mix of successes and missed opportunities. While there were several commendable achievements, the overall underperformance highlights the need for systemic changes in how sports are managed and promoted in the country. By addressing the key issues and adopting a more strategic and collaborative approach, India can aspire to become a dominant force in the global sporting arena in the years to come.