India at Paris Olympics: Six medals, six near misses and a big heartbreak

The curtains have drawn on the Paris Olympics , and for India, it was a campaign of mixed fortunes. The nation, which sent one of its largest-ever contingent of 117 athletes, ended the Games with a total of six medals—one silver and five bronze. This tally falls just short of India’s best-ever haul of seven medals from the Tokyo Games, and there was notable disappointment as the country returned home without a gold medal.

High Hopes and Missed Gold

India entered the Paris Olympics with high hopes, aiming for a double-digit medal tally. This ambition was fueled by the strong performances of Indian athletes on the global stage over the past few years. As the Games commenced, Indian fans were optimistic, with many of the country’s athletes seen as serious medal contenders.

The standout performer for India was javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra , who secured a silver medal in his event. Chopra, who made history in Tokyo as the first Indian to win an Olympic gold in athletics, was expected to defend his title in Paris. He delivered a commendable performance but was bested by Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, who set a new Olympic record to win his country’s first individual gold medal. Chopra’s silver, however, marks a significant achievement as he won medals in consecutive Olympic Games.

Multiple Medals and Close Contests

While Chopra’s silver was a highlight, the rest of India’s medal tally was comprised of bronze medals. Manu Bhaker , the pistol shooter, emerged as the most successful Indian athlete at these Games, winning two bronze medals. Bhaker's performance was historic; she became the first Indian to win multiple medals in a single edition of the Olympics post-independence.

Other notable medalists included the Indian men's hockey team, which secured a bronze medal, continuing their storied tradition of Olympic success. The hockey team’s performance was marked by intense matches and strong team cohesion, securing their place on the podium in consecutive Games.

In shooting, Swapnil Kusale won bronze in the rifle event, showcasing precision and calm under pressure. Additionally, Sarabjot Singh partnered with Manu Bhaker in the mixed team pistol event to win another bronze, demonstrating excellent coordination and teamwork. Wrestler Aman Sehrawat rounded out India’s medal tally with a bronze in his category, displaying tenacity and skill throughout the competition.

Heartbreak and Controversy: The Vinesh Phogat Saga

The Games also featured a significant controversy involving wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who had rollercoaster experience. Phogat became the first Indian female wrestler to reach an Olympic final after stunning the world No. 1 and previously undefeated Yui Susaki of Japan in a dramatic first-round match. This victory had set the stage for a historic achievement. However, in a shocking turn of events, Phogat was disqualified for being 100 grams over the weight limit during her second weigh-in, leading to her exclusion from the final.

Phogat's disqualification was a massive blow to India’s medal hopes. The decision not only stripped India of a potential gold or silver but also sparked outrage and discussions about weight management in sports. Phogat appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a shared silver medal. However, her appeal was rejected, and she returned home without a medal, marking a tragic end to what could have been a fairytale story.

Near Misses and Promising Performances

Beyond the medal winners, India had several athletes who narrowly missed out on podium finishes, reflecting the competitiveness of the Indian contingent. In total, six athletes or teams finished in fourth place, agonizingly close to securing medals:

• Mirabai Chanu in weightlifting, who had previously won a silver in Tokyo, finished just outside the medal positions in Paris.

Maheshwari Chauhan and Anantjeet Singh Naruka in the mixed skeet team shooting event showcased strong performances but ultimately fell short of a medal.

Manu Bhaker also narrowly missed out on a third medal, finishing fourth in the 25m pistol event, highlighting her versatility and skill in shooting.

Arjun Babuta in the 10m air rifle event, who performed exceptionally well but just missed out on the podium.

Lakshya Sen in badminton, who fought hard through the rounds but finished fourth in a highly competitive field.

Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat in the mixed team archery event, who showed promise but could not clinch a medal.

These close finishes underscore the potential and capability of Indian athletes, even as they fell just short of achieving their dreams. The near-misses are both a source of frustration and a sign of the narrowing gap between Indian athletes and their global counterparts.

Looking Ahead: Building on the Momentum

Despite the disappointment of not achieving a double-digit medal tally and returning without a gold, the Paris Olympics demonstrated the increasing competitiveness of Indian athletes on the world stage. With 13 events where Indian athletes were serious contenders for medals, the depth of talent is evident. The performances in Paris have set the stage for future success, providing valuable experience and lessons that will be crucial for the next Olympic cycle.