Paris Olympics Brought Hope, But It's Time to Move Beyond Consoling Near Misses

While Paris offered many bright spots for the nation, disappointments were an inevitable part of the journey.

Paris Olympics 2024.

Image: PTI

India bid a bittersweet au revoir to the Paris Olympics 2024, leaving with six medals—one silver and five bronze—tucked into its collection. Despite sending a strong contingent of 117 athletes across 16 sports, the medal haul fell short of expectations. Reflecting on Tokyo 2021, where 124 athletes secured seven medals (1 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze), the nation's performance this time painted a picture tinged with unmet expectations. 

Back then, India finished in 48th place, but this time, the nation's ranking slipped to 71st, a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead.

Paris marked a summer of many firsts for India, but it was also shadowed by near misses. Fourth-place finishes stung repeatedly, with six Indian athletes enduring the heartbreak of just missing the podium—reminiscent of the near-misses that once defined the Olympic journeys of legends like Milkha Singh and PT Usha.

Clean Sheet From The Shuttlers

For the first time since the 2012 London Olympics, India’s badminton contingent returned home without a medal. The duo of Satwik-Chirag had been among the top medal contenders, and PV Sindhu was widely expected to at least challenge for bronze, given her recent knee injury. Yet, in an unexpected twist, the men’s doubles pair made an early exit, and two-time Olympic medalist Sindhu stumbled in her first significant match. The women’s duo of Ashwini Ponappa and Tanisha Crasto, along with singles player HS Prannoy, were never seen as serious medal prospects.

However, Lakshya Sen stood out, showing potential by navigating a tough group stage, where he defeated Indonesia's Jonatan Christie, compatriot HS Prannoy, and pulled off a stunning upset against Chou Tien-chen in the quarterfinals. But when it came to the decisive moments, Lakshya faltered in both the semifinals and the bronze medal match, bringing India’s badminton campaign to an end.

As Lakshya Sen’s defeat closed the chapter on a medal-less performance for Indian badminton, head coach Prakash Padukone didn’t hold back. He declared that it was high time for players to elevate their game and put in the hard work required. 

Padukone also emphasised the extensive support the athletes had received from both the federation and the government, highlighting that the onus now lay with the players to rise to the occasion.

At least for results in this Olympics and the previous one, you cannot hold the federations and government responsible for the results. They have all done whatever they can. Ultimately the responsibility is on players to go and deliver when it matters the most. The players need to introspect, and not just keep asking for more from the federations. They need to ask themselves whether they are working hard enough, because all of these players have their own physios and all the facilities. I don’t think any other country, including the US, has so many facilities. Maybe, you know, the players are not working hard enough. Maybe, it is not enough to get a medal at the Olympics. So you (players) need to work also.

Prakash Padukone

Padukone’s remarks might have seemed blunt, but they were a reflection of the current reality. He chose not to sugarcoat his words, which is understandable given his own experience—he represented India when resources were sparse, without the world-class facilities that athletes enjoy today. With the federation and the governing bodies now providing comprehensive support, holding athletes accountable for their performance is perhaps both fair and necessary, even if it invites strong reactions.

Former Indian shuttler, Jwala Gutta, echoed the same sentiments and weighed in Padukone’s defence when her 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medal winning partner Ashwini Ponappa hit-back at Padukone. 

Yes, players can also take responsibilities…why not? Players, when they win, get all the riches…do they share it with their coach or staff? If a coach is saying that the players also need to take responsibility after reaching a certain stage in a tournament, the player should be held responsible as well. Also want to know from Ashwini about coaches taking all credit…is she referring to the chief coach? And does she share her income with coaches when she wins???.

Jwala Gutta

Uncertain Future of Boxing at the Olympics

Turning the spotlight from badminton, India’s boxing contingent also came back empty-handed. Although the female boxers faced challenging draws, this alone doesn’t excuse the underwhelming performances. Two-time world champion and Tokyo bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain fell short of expectations, while male boxers Nishant Dev and Amit Panghal had their opportunities but failed to seize them.

With boxing not yet on the roster for the 2028 Summer Games, the prospects for Indian pugilists in future Olympics remain uncertain, casting a shadow over their potential for redemption.

India’s athletics contingent, aside from Neeraj Chopra, lacked any real medal contenders. While there’s an unwavering belief that Neeraj will bring home a medal every time he competes, it’s disheartening that the same conviction doesn’t extend to the rest of the athletics team.

Near Misses: The Thin Line Between Glory and Regret

The line between glory and regret is often razor-thin, and for India at Paris 2024, it proved to be agonisingly elusive. Despite moments of brilliance, several athletes found themselves on the wrong side of history, coming tantalisingly close to the podium but ultimately falling short.

In shooting, Arjun Babuta and Manu Bhaker came within a hair's breadth of a medal, with Babuta missing out in the men’s 10m air pistol event and Bhaker in the women’s 25m air pistol. Their performances were commendable, but the narrow margins by which they missed the podium serve as a harsh reminder of how unforgiving the Olympic stage can be. The mixed skeet event was another bitter pill to swallow. Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Maheshwari Chauhan delivered a performance that brought India to the brink of a medal, only to lose the bronze medal match to China by a single, heartbreaking point.

In archery, Dhiraj Bommadevara and Ankita Bhakat delivered India's best-ever Olympic performance in the mixed team event, yet it wasn’t enough to secure a podium finish. In a hard-fought bronze medal match against the USA’s Brady Ellison and Casey Kaufhold, the Indian pair showed immense grit but ultimately fell 6-2, denying India its first-ever Olympic medal in archery.

Weightlifting brought its own dose of heartbreak. Tokyo silver medallist Mirabai Chanu, competing in the women’s 49 kg category, lifted with determination and strength. Yet, she found herself just 1 kg shy of the bronze, a margin so small it’s almost cruel.

The Path Forward

As Indian athletes reflect on their Paris 2024 experience, it’s clear that the journey toward becoming a global sporting powerhouse is far from over. While near-misses and underwhelming performances have undoubtedly left their mark, they also provide valuable lessons for the road ahead. It's time to move beyond finding solace in close calls. Adopting a ‘lost medal’ mentality might be the shift needed to propel us forward.

One crucial step forward lies in building world-class infrastructure at home. Imagine a scenario where Indian athletes no longer need to train abroad to prepare for the biggest stages. By establishing high-performance centers across the country, India could cultivate talent year-round, minimizing the need for exhausting travel and maximizing the potential for success.

Besides, it’s essential to focus not only on physical preparation but also on the mental fortitude required to excel under pressure. Athletes like Manu Bhaker have shown that mental calmness can make all the difference, and this lesson must be embraced across all disciplines.

As the dust settles on Paris 2024, the narrative for India in future Olympics is yet to be written. With a renewed commitment to excellence, an unyielding work ethic, and the right infrastructure in place, the nation can transform its potential into podium finishes. The disappointment of near misses should serve not as a deterrent but as a catalyst for greatness. India’s quest for Olympic glory continues, and with the right approach, the future could very well see the tricolor flying higher than ever before.