New Delhi: It was a campaign of missed opportunities for India at the Paris Olympics 2024 as the contingent finished a disappointing 71st on the medals table after managing a total of only six medals. The expectations were high from Indian athletes after a record medal haul in the last edition in Tokyo. However, none of them managed to finish on the top of the podium.
Shooting headlined India’s campaign at the Paris Olympics with three medals as the big names disappointed in badminton, archery and boxing among others. Manu Bhaker-led Indian shooting contingent bagged three medals while Neeraj Chopra clinched India’s only silver medal in Paris. Wrestler Aman Sehrawat and the Indian men’s hockey team salvaged India’s pride with a bronze medal each.
In the run-up to the Paris Olympics, the Indian government provided the athletes with all possible monetary assistance while approving the majority of their requests for training overseas and under top coaches. However, none of it seemed to have bore fruit in Paris as India finished a dismal 71st, more than 20 spots below their 48th-place finish in Tokyo.
Stressing the importance of hunger and resolve in an athlete’s determination to win a medal for the country, India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra said money alone is not enough to win medals at the Olympics. Bindra said money should just be an enabler for an athlete to pursue his journey that can lead him to sporting success.
“I think hunger is intrinsic in nature. As a nation, we also need to understand that money is only going to be an enabler. Money is not going to get you medals. It is blood, sweat and tears, hard work and resilience shown on the field of play, which will get you there. And hunger is a very important aspect of it. Resources being allocated is only a simple enabler, and you need it,” Bindra was quoted as saying by Indian Express.
Bindra’s comments come at a time when the government’s lavish expenditure on Indian athletes is being discussed in detail among the wider audience. From specialised coaches to the best facilities and proper infrastructure, there is little scope for complaints from an athlete. However, despite all the money being pumped in, results have sadly not followed.
I don’t completely disagree with Prakash Padukone: Bindra
The legendary Prakash Padukone, who went to Paris as an advisor to the Indian badminton squad, was left fuming after Lakshya Sen’s loss against Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia in the bronze medal match. The young shuttler despite showcasing a lot if promise throughout the tournament, had to return home empty-handed after squandering two significant leads in the semi-final against Viktor Axelsen and losing the bronze medal match against Zii Jia.
Padukone slammed Indian athletes in his post-match interaction with Indian reporters in Paris and said the players need to take responsibility for their poor performances despite getting all the facilities they demand from the government. Bindra agreed with Padukone’s assessment and said the money being spent needs to be spent wisely to translate it into performances.
“Accountability has to be collective, and an athlete is very much part of it. So I don’t completely disagree with what Mr. Padukone said. I understand where he’s coming from, but that doesn’t mean that you have to stop spending on athletes. It’s just you have to make sure how that money is spent. Yes, you cannot always wrap your athletes in cotton wool,” Bindra added.
India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra has issued a stark warning stating that investing money alone won’t help the country reap rewards and earn medals at the Olympics. His comments come after India managed only six medals at the Paris Games to finish a disappointing 71st. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
