Paris, France – A grand spectacle is about to unfold as 112 Indian athletes, including five reserve players, prepare to compete in 69 different medal events at the Paris Olympics 2024. The Seine River will witness a dazzling opening ceremony today, heralding the commencement of the games on July 27. As India sets its sights on an unprecedented medal haul, there’s an undeniable buzz of anticipation.
In Tokyo 2020, held in 2021 due to the pandemic, India achieved its best performance yet with a total of seven medals. Building on this success, hopes are high for the Paris Games. Among the voices of encouragement is that of Suhas Lalinakere, a celebrated Paralympic silver medallist and esteemed IAS officer, who lends his support primarily to the Indian badminton contingent.
Suhas, who secured a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, shared his thoughts in an exclusive conversation with India TV, expressing particular optimism about India’s men’s doubles badminton team. Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, in excellent form recently, are seen as India’s promising prospects for a medal in Paris. Over the past two Olympic events, PV Sindhu has been the solitary medalist for India in badminton, clinching silver in Rio 2016 and a bronze in Tokyo 2020.
“I am very much hopeful that India will win a medal in the men’s doubles event in badminton this time. I will be surprised if the Satwik-Chirag duo doesn’t win a medal in Paris,” Suhas declared confidently. The duo’s recent track record bolsters this confidence. Not only were they ranked number one globally not too long ago, but they have also triumphed in multiple tournaments. Their achievements include a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and a historic gold at the Asian Games in Hangzhou last year, in addition to being integral team members in various group events.
However, the spotlight isn’t just on Shetty and Rankireddy. PV Sindhu, India’s badminton ace, is determined to clinch her third consecutive Olympic medal.
. Despite her recent struggles with form and injuries, which have been a concern for many followers, Suhas remains optimistic about her potential for overcoming these challenges.
When questioned about Sindhu’s form, Suhas emphasized that performance on the day outweighs past form. “Things will get tougher for Sindhu as she will go deep in the Olympics. As far as her form is concerned, I think it doesn’t hold greater significance and what is more important is your performance on the match day,” Suhas illuminated. This perspective highlights the unpredictable nature of sports and the importance of peak performance during critical moments.
Suhas’s words come as a source of inspiration not just for the badminton players but for the entire Indian contingent. His sentiments echo nationwide hopes as athletes across disciplines prepare to give their best. “I wish all the best to our Indian contingent at the Paris Olympics and hope that we will win a lot more medals this time around,” Suhas said, conveying a heartfelt message of motivation to the team.
The Paris Olympics 2024 will see a diverse array of Indian athletes competing in sports ranging from boxing, where Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain face challenging draws, to shooting with debutant Sift Kaur Samra, a world record holder. Each athlete carries with them the aspirations of a nation and the expectation to surpass the benchmark set in Tokyo.
As the opening ceremony draws near, the excitement is palpable. India’s athletes, supported by enthusiastic officials like IAS Suhas Lalinakere, face the momentous task of achieving their country’s greatest Olympic success to date. All eyes will be on the Seine River tonight as the world watches the inception of what promises to be an exhilarating Olympic journey for Team India.
The narrative of national pride, resilience, and the unyielding pursuit of excellence will unfold over the following days. Indian fans, both at home and abroad, will be hoping for moments of triumph that resonate with the spirit of excellence and dedication emblematic of Olympic glory. And with the collective hopes and well-wishes from back home, Indian athletes are poised to make a significant mark in Paris 2024.
