Diversified India has always had some interesting stories behind every major event. The Paris Olympics 2024 is not different as the country has entered the event with its largest-ever squad (117) in terms of opportunities. Numbers-wise the 2020 Tokyo Olympics had more athletes (124) but considering the Women’s hockey team qualification in the Tokyo event, the 2024 edition of the Summer Olympic Games, presents the most medal opportunities (96) for India. With the largest and most diversified Indian Team at the Paris Olympics, here are some of the interesting facts to look into. Most Medals Won By An Athlete in Olympics and Other Major Records in History of Multi-Sport Mega Event Ahead of Paris Olympic Games 2024.

Youngest Athlete In Indian Contingent At The Paris Olympics 2024

At just 14 years old, swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu became the youngest Indian to compete at the Olympics in Paris. She qualified based on the universality quota. While it would be hard to expect a medal from the teenager – she would certainly gain some experience and could be an asset for upcoming games. Dhinidhi will compete in 200 m freestyle swimming and you never know, we already have the youngest medalist in Olympics history (12-year-old) in the same sport.

Oldest Athlete In Indian Contingent At The Paris Olympics 2024

While Bengaluru-based Dhinidhi Desinghu is the youngest one in the Indian contingent, it's her state-mate Rohan Bopanna, who is the oldest in the contingent at 44 years old and is returning to the Olympics after being excluded in 2020. Former World number one tennis star (in doubles) will participate in the Paris Olympics Men’s Tennis competition.

Olympic Gold Medalist In Indian Contingent At The Paris Olympics 2024

Neeraj Chopra is the only former Gold Medalist in the current Indian Contingent. He won a Gold Medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 and set the record of being the first Asian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in javelin. He will look to repeat his performance at the Paris Olympics 2024. Abhinav Bindra Becomes First Indian Athlete To Be Conferred With Olympic Order by IOC.

Multiple Olympic Medal-Winning Athlete In Indian Contingent At The Paris Olympics 2024

While Neeraj is the only Gold Medalist in the Indian Contingent, PV Sindhu is the only athlete with multiple Olympic medals in the team. She won the silver medal in 2016 while had to settle for the bronze medal in 2020. PV Sindhu is one of the strong contenders for a medal in the 2024 Olympic Games and will aim for a top-spot finish.

How Many Athletes in Indian Contingent At The Paris Olympics 2024 Won Olympic Medals Before?

Along with Neeraj Chopra and PV Sindhu mentioned above, Mirabai Chanu, Lovlina Borgohain, and India's men's hockey team recently won a medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Other than the four medal winners and the Hockey team India’s Contingent misses ‘medal’ experience in the vast squad.

Athlete Form Indian Contingent Competing in New Discipline At The Paris Olympics 2024

With Jyothi Yarraji qualifying for the women’s 100m hurdles, it opened a new opportunity for the country. The girl from Andhra Pradesh rose to fame when she won the Gold in the Asian Athletics Championships. She will be looking to create history in India’s debut at the event. Another athlete who will be making India’s debut is Reetika Hooda in the women’s 76kg weight category in Wrestling. Paris Olympic Games 2024: A Look at India's Landmark Moments in Multi-Sport Mega Event.

Total Number Of Olympic Games-Debutants In Indian Contingent At The Paris Olympics 2024

As many as 72 Indian athletes will be competing for the first time in the Olympic Games. But apart from the Olympics, India has multiple athletes with strong resumes including two-time World Champion Nikhat Zareen in boxing and the World record holder in the women’s 50m rifle 3-position event, Sift Kaur Samra.

Athletes Compete In Multiple Disciplines From Indian Contingent At The Paris Olympics 2024

Players get a chance to showcase their skills in multiple events at the Olympic Games, which is the beauty of the multisport event. India has two athletes who will be representing the country in two Individual events. Shooting sensation Manu Bhaker will be competing in 10m air pistol and 25m pistol events while Parul Chaudhary will be running in the women’s 3000m steeplechase and 5000m.  Apart from competing in the Individual events, the Archers and Shooters will be competing in the team and mixed team contests in their respective events.

Athletes Who Couldn’t Make In Into Indian Contingent Despite Qualifying At The Paris Olympics 2024

IOA held the right to nominate athletes in Swimming and shooting. Even though Bowneesh Mendiratta finished fourth in the trap event of the 2022 World Championships and won the Quota for the Paris Olympics, the spot was given to Prithviraj Tondaiman after the latter did well in the Olympic Selection trials. Another player to miss the Paris Olympics 2024 will be Murali Sreeshankar. He booked his place in the long jump event but was ruled out due to injury. Paris Olympics 2024: All Eyes on LeBron James, Rafael Nadal, Simone Biles, and Other Sports Stars Making Comeback in Summer Olympic Games.

Largest Squad From The Indian Contingent At Paris Olympics 2024

Athletics has the largest representation from India with 29 athletes followed by shooting at 21 and hockey at 19. The Shooting contingent with 21 shooters will be one of the biggest medal hopes for India. India had won all 16 possible quotas from the qualifying events.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 24, 2024 05:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).