India’s performance in the Paris Olympics 2024 has shown a decline. Finishing 71st in the medal tally, the country won lesser medals in Paris than the last Olympics in Tokyo in 2020 where it was placed at the 48th spot.Despite winning six medals, including one silver and five bronze, the nation experienced several near misses and disheartening outcomes that have sparked discussions about the future of Indian sports. Manu Bhaker won the first medal for India at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She bagged a bronze and became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic shooting medal.
Bhaker then created history by becoming the first Indian to win two medals at a single edition of the Olympics after she clinched a mixed team 10m air pistol bronze with Sarabjot Singh. Swapnil Kusale added a third medal in shooting. The Indian men’s hockey team matched their Tokyo 2020 success with the bronze in Paris while Neeraj Chopra became the most successful individual Olympian after he claimed a silver medal in the javelin throw. Later, Aman Sehrawat became India’s youngest Olympic medallist when he won bronze in wrestling.
India missed out on six potential medals, most by a whisker, with the athletes finishing fourth in their respective events. Many athletes qualified for quarterfinals but didn’t qualify for the medal match. There were a number of fourth place finishes. India’s poor performance in the Olympics calls for a proper introspection. Many regions in India lack the necessary infrastructure and resources to train athletes effectively. There is limited access to training facilities, coaching expertise, and financial support for the development of potential talent.
Many athletes struggle due to insufficient financial backing from the government. Moreover, there is still a significant gap in sponsorship and investment in sports other than cricket. Cricket’s overwhelming popularity in India has created an imbalance in the sports landscape, with 87 per cent of sports capital allocated to cricket and only 13 per cent for all other sports. This disproportionate allocation has hindered the development of Olympic sports.
Developing world-class athletes requires sustained investment and planning over many years. Successful Olympic countries like China and the US have long-term development plans that include scouting young talent, providing them with early training, and supporting them through their careers. Identifying and nurturing talent from a young age across various sports disciplines can help build a strong foundation.
Moreover, there is a need for huge investment in sports infrastructure in India including world-class training facilities and providing athletes with access to the best coaching and support systems. This includes psychological support, nutrition, and injury management. The government should provide more consistent and substantial funding for Olympic sports. This includes direct support to athletes, as well as investments in coaching and international exposure.
