Paris Olympics 2024: A look at Indian athletes who have qualified for the marquee event

Fueled by a stellar performance at the 2023 Asian Games, where India shattered its personal record, eyes are now set on replicating the heroic feats at the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024. Scheduled to ignite the spirit of competition from July 26th to August 11th, 2024, the Olympics promise to be a stage for Indian athletes to showcase their talent and strive for glory.

Tokyo 2020 witnessed India's most successful Olympic campaign yet, with a 124-strong contingent bringing home a remarkable seven medals, including the coveted gold in Neeraj Chopra's javelin throw. This inspiring performance, coupled with the recent Asian Games triumph, has fueled the nation's hopes for an even larger medal haul in Paris.

While Trap shooter Bhowneesh Mendiratta was the first to secure a quota place, followed by race walkers Priyanka Goswami and Akshdeep Singh in athletics, the journey doesn't end there. The bronze medal-winning Men's National Hockey team from Tokyo already has their spot secured.

However, for certain disciplines like shooting and wrestling, the wait for official roster announcements continues due to their unique qualification systems. In these sports, athletes compete for quota places for their country, and national federations later fill those slots through rigorous trials. This adds an element of suspense and anticipation as fans eagerly await the complete Indian contingent to be unveiled.

With the clock ticking down towards the prestigious games, the nation stands united in its support for its athletes. The spirit of determination and the echoes of past triumphs ignite a collective hope for a record-breaking performance in Paris. Each athlete carries the dreams of millions, and every victory will be a testament to their unwavering dedication and the nation's unwavering support. So, let the games begin! Let the Indian flag fly high at the Paris Olympics 2024. 

A Legacy Woven in Threads of Triumph: India's Olympic Journey

India's Olympic history is a tapestry woven with threads of triumph, perseverance, and the undying spirit of its athletes. While cricket might reign supreme in the hearts of many, the nation's journey on the Olympic stage boasts a rich legacy, filled with moments of glory and a continuous pursuit of excellence.

The early brushstrokes painted a picture of individual brilliance. In 1900, Norman Pritchard, the lone representative, secured two silver medals in the 200m sprint and hurdles, marking the beginning of India's Olympic adventure. The iconic hockey team soon emerged as the dominant force, capturing an unprecedented hat-trick of gold medals between 1928 and 1936, etching their names in sporting folklore.

However, independence in 1947 ushered in a period of transition. While hockey continued its golden run with victories in 1948 and 1952, individual triumphs were scarce. KD Jadhav's bronze in wrestling in 1952 marked a rare individual accolade.

The decades that followed witnessed occasional sparks of brilliance, like Abhinav Bindra's historic gold in 10m air rifle shooting at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Yet, consistency remained elusive.

A turning point arrived in the 2010s. The "Shooting Queens" like Heena Sidhu and Manavjit Sandhu led the charge, showcasing India's prowess in this arena. Meanwhile, new heroes emerged in unexpected quarters. Vijender Singh's boxing bronze in 2008 and Sushil Kumar's wrestling medals (bronze in 2008, silver in 2012) broadened the sporting landscape.

The London 2012 Olympics saw Mary Kom, the "Magnificent Mary", capture the hearts of millions with her bronze medal in boxing, inspiring a generation of young girls. Sakshi Malik's bronze in wrestling at Rio 2016 further cemented the rise of women athletes.

Neeraj Chopra's javelin throw gold at Tokyo 2020 marked a watershed moment. Not only was it India's first athletics gold in over a century, but it also ignited a collective belief in the nation's potential to excel in diverse disciplines.

Beyond the podium finishes, the story extends to the countless athletes who have strived for excellence, pushing their limits and inspiring others. From Dipa Karmakar's daring Produnova vault in gymnastics to P.V. Sindhu's badminton brilliance, each journey adds a unique thread to the rich tapestry of Indian Olympic history.

The future holds immense promise. The recent Asian Games triumph, where India shattered its medal record, serves as a testament to the growing depth and talent pool. As the nation gears up for the Paris 2024 Olympics, the focus is not just on medals but on nurturing a sporting culture that embraces diverse disciplines and empowers athletes to chase their dreams.

From the legendary hockey team to the new-age stars, India's Olympic journey is a testament to the unwavering spirit of its athletes and the nation's collective dream of sporting excellence. While challenges remain, the future shines bright, woven with the threads of determination, talent, and unwavering belief in achieving the extraordinary.

Here is a look at the Indian athletes and squads who have qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics (To be Updated)

Archery (6)

Dhiraj Bommadevara (men’s individual recurve archery)

Bhajan Kaur (Women’s Individual Recurve)

Dhiraj Bommadevara (men’s individual recurve archery)

Bhajan Kaur (Women’s Individual Recurve)

Tarundeep Rai (Men’s Recurve)

Pravin Jadhav (Men’s Recurve)

Ankita Bhakat (Women’s Recurve)

Deepika Kumari (Women’s Recurve)

Athletics (26)

Suraj Panwar (Men’s 20m Race Walk)

Vikash Singh (Men’s 20km Race Walk)

Paramjeet Bisht (Men’s 20km Race Walk)

Akashdeep Singh (Men’s 20km Race Walk)

Priyanka Goswami (Women’s 20km Race Walk)

Neeraj Chopra (Men’s Javelin Throw)

Avinash Sable (Men’s 3000m Steeplechase)

Parul Chaudhary (Women’s 3000m Steeplechase)

Kishore Kumar Jena (men’s Javelin throw)

Servin Sebastian (men's 20km race walk)

Arshpreet Singh (men's 20km race walk)

Ram Baboo (men's 20km race walk)

Priyanka Goswami/Akshdeep Singh (Marathon race walk mixed relay)

Muhammed Anas Yahiya/ Muhammed Ajmal/ Arokia Rajiv/ Amoj Jacob (Men's 4x400m relay)

Rupal/ Jyothika Sri Dandi/ MR Poovamma/ Subha Venkatesan (Women's 4x400m relay)

Jeswin Aldrin (Men’s Long Jump)

Kiran Pahal (Women’s 400m)

Jyothi Yarraji (Women’s 100m hurdles) 

Abha Khatua (Women’s shot put)

Sarvesh Kushare (Men’s High Jump)

Annu Rani (Women’s Javelin Throw)

Tajinderpal Singh Toor (Men’s Shot Put)

Abdulla Aboobacker (Men’s Triple Jump)

Praveel Chitravel (Men’s Triple Jump)

Ankita Dhyani (Women’s 5000m)

Shooting

Rifle

Men’s 10m Air Rifle: Sandeep Singh, Arjun Babuta

Women’s 10m Air Rifle: Elavenil Valarivan, Ramita

Women’s 50m Rifle 3P: Sift Kaur Samra, Anjum Moudgil

Men’s 50m Rifle 3P: Swapnil Kusale, Aishwary Tomar

Mixed team 10m Air Rifle: Sandeep Singh and Elavenil Valarivan, Arjun Babuta and Ramita

Pistol:

Men’s 10m Air Pistol: Sarabjot Singh, Arjun Cheema

Women’s 10m Air Pistol: Manu Bhaker, Rhythm Sangwan

Women’s 25m Pistol: Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh

Men’s 25m Pistol: Anish Bhanwala, Vijayveer Sidhu

Mixed team 10m Air Pistol: Sarabjot Singh and Manu Bhaker, Arjun Cheema and Rhythm Sangwan.

Shotgun:

Men’s Trap: Prithviraj Tondaiman

Women’s Trap: Rajeshwari Kumari, Shreyasi Singh

Men’s Skeet: Anantjeet Singh Naruka

Women’s Skeet: Raiza Dhillon, Maheshwari Chauhan

Skeet Mixed Team: Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Maheshwari Chauhan

Boxing (7)

Nikhat Zareen (Women’s 51kg)

Lovlina Borgohain (Women’s 75kg)

Preeti Pawar (Women’s 54kg)

Parveen Hooda (Women’s 57kg)

Jaismine (Women’s 57kg)

Nishant Dev (Men’s 71kg)

Amit Panghal (Men’s 51kg)

Wrestling (4)

Antim Panghal (women’s 53kg)

Vinesh Phogat (women’s 50kg)

Anshu Malik (women’s 57kg)

Reetika Hooda (women’s 76kg)

Nisha Dahiya (women's 68kg)

Aman Sehrawat (men's freestyle 57kg) 

Hockey (1)

The Indian men's hockey team

Sailing (2)

Vishnu Saravanan (Men’s One-Person Dinghy)

Nethra Kumaran (Women’s One-Person Dinghy)

Balraj Panwar (Men’s Singles Scull)

Equestrian (1)

Anush Agarwalla (Dressage)

Table tennis (6)

Men’s Singles: Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai

Women’s Singles: Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula

Men’s Team: Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai, Manav Thakkar; Reserve: Sathiyan Gnanasekaran

Women’s Team: Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, Archana Kamath; Reserve: Ayhika Mukherjee

Rowing (1)

Balraj Pawar (M1x)

Badminton (5)

PV Sindhu (Women’s singles)

HS Prannoy (Men’s singles)

Lakshya Sen (Men’s singles)

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty (Men’s doubles)

Ashwini Ponnappa/Tanisha Crasto (Women’s doubles)

Golf (4)

Shubhankar Sharma

Gaganjeet Bhullar

Aditi Ashok

Diksha Dagar

Tennis (3)

Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji (Men’s doubles)

Sumit Nagal (Men’s Singles)

Weightlifting (1) 

Mirabai Chanu 

Author

Rishab is an aspiring sports journalist, currently pursuing his master’s in multimedia journalism at Christ University, Bangalore. Having previously worked with various organizations such as TheNewsMinute, TimesNetwork, DeccanHerald, and Sportskeeda, he is an avid sports enthusiast.