India’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics was a testament to the nation’s growing prowess in sports. With six medals, India fell just short of its record tally from Tokyo 2020, but it marked the country’s third-best outing at the Summer Games.
Archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, equestrian, golf, hockey, judo, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming, wrestling, table tennis, and tennis were the 16 sports in which Indian athletes competed. Athletics boasted the largest Indian representation with a 29-member squad, while shooting fielded a record 21 shooters.
Beyond medals, Indian athletes also set new records at the Games. Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion in javelin throw, added to his legacy with a silver medal, becoming the fifth two-time Olympic medallist from India. Manu Bhaker made history as the first Indian woman to win an Olympic shooting medal, claiming bronze in the 10m air pistol event.
Bhaker also teamed up with Sarabjot Singh to win India’s first-ever Olympic medal in shooting team events. Swapnil Kusale’s bronze in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions marked India’s best medals tally in one sport at the Olympics, with three medals in shooting.
The Indian men’s hockey team continued their resurgence, winning bronze for the second consecutive Olympics. This was India’s first back-to-back Olympic medals in hockey since Munich 1972. Harmanpreet Singh emerged as India’s top scorer with 10 goals, while PR Sreejesh made crucial saves throughout the tournament.
In archery, Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat finished fourth in the mixed team event, securing India’s best result in the sport at the Olympics. Lakshya Sen became the first Indian shuttler to reach the semi-finals in men’s badminton, while Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula made history in table tennis by reaching the pre-quarterfinals.
India’s performance at the Paris Olympics showcased the nation’s growing competitiveness on the global stage. With a strong contingent of athletes and a focus on excellence, India is poised for continued success in future Olympic Games.
