The Paris Olympics 2024 concluded with a thrilling finale that saw the United States topping the medal table, narrowly edging out China. Despite high expectations, India’s performance reflected a mix of achievements and missed opportunities. Here’s a closer look at the key highlights and India’s journey at the Games.
Table of Contents
The United States Tops the Medal Table
- Final Medal Tally: The United States finished first with a total of 126 medals, including 40 golds, matching China’s gold count but surpassing them overall.
- Historic Win in Basketball: The U.S. women’s basketball team secured the last gold of the Games, their eighth consecutive Olympic victory, defeating France 67-66.
China’s Strong Performance
- Second Place Finish: China concluded the Games with 91 medals, securing the second spot on the medal table.
- Close Competition: Despite equalling the U.S. in gold medals, China fell short in the overall count.
Host Nation France’s Impressive Show
- Best in Over a Century: France finished fifth with 16 golds and a total of 64 medals, marking their best performance in over a hundred years.
- Hosting Success: The Paris Games were hailed as one of the most successful in history.
India’s Journey at Paris 2024
Medal Tally and Standings
- Final Rank: India finished 71st in the overall medal tally, securing six medals (1 silver and 5 bronze).
- Medalists:
- Neeraj Chopra: Silver in Men’s Javelin Throw (Athletics)
- Indian Men’s Hockey Team: Bronze
- Manu Bhaker: Bronze in Women’s 10m Air Pistol (Shooting)
- Swapnil Kusale: Bronze in Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions (Shooting)
- Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh: Bronze in 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team (Shooting)
- Aman Sehrawat: Bronze in Men’s Freestyle 57kg (Wrestling)
Comparison with Previous Olympics
- Tokyo 2021 vs. Paris 2024: India’s medal count dipped from seven in Tokyo (including one gold) to six in Paris, with no golds this time.
- Impact of Performance: The drop in ranking from 48th in Tokyo to 71st in Paris highlighted the challenges faced by the Indian contingent.
Insights and Reflections
Neeraj Chopra’s Perspective
- Quality Over Quantity: Chopra emphasized the importance of considering the fourth-place finishes and overall performance quality, not just the medal count.
Areas of Concern
- Missed Opportunities: India had as many fourth-place finishes as medals, with some athletes missing out on podiums by narrow margins.
- Disqualifications and Setbacks: A confirmed medallist in wrestling was disqualified for not meeting weight requirements, affecting the medal tally.
Financial Investment and Expectations
- Sports Authority of India’s Investment: Approximately ₹470 crore was spent on preparing for Paris, raising questions about the return on investment.
- Athletics: Despite receiving ₹96.08 crore, the athletics team, apart from Chopra, largely underperformed.
Future Outlook
- Challenges in Athletics: The gap between India and leading Olympic nations in key sports like athletics and swimming continues to widen.
- Shooting as a Silver Lining: India’s shooting team showed promise with three medals and several near misses.
- Hockey’s Progress: The men’s hockey team secured a bronze, marking consecutive Olympic medals and pointing to potential growth in the sport.
Looking Ahead: Los Angeles 2028
- Building on the Paris Experience: The need for effective structures, programs, and planning is crucial for improving India’s performance in future Olympics.
- Long-Term Vision: With four years to prepare for Los Angeles 2028, India has the potential to learn from the Paris experience and aim for better results.
Paris Olympics 2024: Country and its achievement
| Position | Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | United states | 40 | 44 | 42 | 126 |
| 2 | China | 40 | 27 | 24 | 91 |
| 3 | Japan | 20 | 12 | 13 | 45 |
| 4 | Australia | 18 | 19 | 16 | 53 |
| 5 | France | 16 | 26 | 22 | 64 |
| 6 | Netherlands | 15 | 7 | 12 | 34 |
| 7 | Great Britain | 14 | 22 | 29 | 65 |
| 8 | South Korea | 13 | 9 | 10 | 32 |
| 9 | Italy | 12 | 13 | 15 | 40 |
| 10 | Germany | 12 | 12 | 8 | 33 |
| 11 | India | 0 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
India’s performance at the Paris Olympics 2024 may not have met all expectations, but it provided valuable lessons and glimpses of potential. As the nation looks ahead to the next Olympic cycle, the focus will be on building a stronger, more competitive contingent.
(FAQs)
1. How did the United States perform in the Paris Olympics 2024?
The United States topped the medal table at the Paris Olympics 2024, winning a total of 126 medals, including 40 golds. They secured the top spot by narrowly edging out China in the overall medal count.
2. How many medals did India win at the Paris Olympics 2024?
India won six medals at the Paris Olympics 2024, including one silver and five bronze, finishing 71st in the final medal tally.
3. Who were the medalists from India at the Paris Olympics 2024?
India’s medalists included:
1. Neeraj Chopra: Silver in Men’s Javelin Throw (Athletics)
2. Indian Men’s Hockey Team: Bronze
3. Manu Bhaker: Bronze in Women’s 10m Air Pistol (Shooting)
4. Swapnil Kusale: Bronze in Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions (Shooting)
5. Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh: Bronze in 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team (Shooting)
6. Aman Sehrawat: Bronze in Men’s Freestyle 57kg (Wrestling)
4. How did India’s performance at Paris 2024 compare to the Tokyo Olympics 2021?
India’s performance at the Paris Olympics 2024 was a step down from the Tokyo Olympics 2021. In Tokyo, India won seven medals (1 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze) and finished 48th, while in Paris, they won six medals and ranked 71st.
5. What challenges did India face at the Paris Olympics 2024?
India faced several challenges, including missed opportunities with multiple fourth-place finishes, a disqualification in wrestling, and underperformance in sports like athletics and badminton. Despite significant financial investment, the country struggled to match or surpass its previous Olympic success.
