Olympic Games

Invest in grassroots to excel big at 2036 Olympics, says PR Sreejesh

Double Olympic medallist PR Sreejesh on Friday stressed the need for grassroots investment and talent identification while outlining what India must do to build a stronger future at the sport's grandest stage. The 36-year-old Sreejesh retired after playing a pivotal role in India's second successive Olympic bronze medal at the Paris Games last summer, bringing to an end a glorious career. "Exposure is the key. Getting into the world level and performing from there is the dream," Sreejesh said during the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit here. "What makes the Olympics unique is the mental pressure. Preparing athletes to be equipped to perform at that level is most important." He noted that young athletes today have many examples of Indian success on the global stage, which can help them believe in their potential. "When we started playing, we always heard about the history of the sport. Now, we can realistically show young kids that we can achieve at the global stage. When I

India strengthening its infra, research capabilities for Olympics: PT Usha

India is focussing not just on strengthening infrastructure capabilities, but also intellectual preparedness as it eyes hosting rights for the 2036 Olympic Games, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha said on Wednesday. The former track and field star noted India's engagement with the quadrennial international games goes beyond competitive sports to embrace its true spirit of promoting peace and cultural exchange. She was addressing the 1st International Olympic Research Conference at Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) near Dehgam in Gandhinagar district. The four-day conference has been organised by the Bharat Centre for Olympic Research and Education (B-CORE) of the RRU, an institution of national importance under the Union home ministry. In her address, Usha said thanks to the conference, representatives of various Olympic studies and research centres from across the world as well as experts from diverse fields have converged in India. "India's engagement with the .

Govt mulls graded funding for NSFs depending on compliance with sports Bill

The sports ministry is considering the introduction of a graded system of funding for national federations under which allocations would depend on the level of their compliance with the provisions related to "good governance" in the draft sports bill. The idea came up during a meeting between Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and representatives of the National Sports Federations to take stock of India's preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. "If you are fully compliant with the good governance provisions than you get your entire share but if it is not the case then there could be cuts when such a system comes into effect. But it is only an idea under consideration as of now," a source in the sports ministry told PTI. "The implementation can greatly improve transparency and performance of the NSFs," the source added. Though not entirely funded by the ministry, the NSFs are financially supported by it in not just the organisation of national, zonal and international ...

Para archer Harvinder Singh alleges 'discrimination' in sports awards

Indian archer Harvinder Singh, who won a gold at Paris Paralympics, on Tuesday alleged "discrimination" in the distribution of sports awards and questioned why the Khel Ratna honour was not bestowed on this year's medallists at the Games like the Tokyo edition. Singh, a Tokyo Games bronze winner, claimed his maiden gold medal at Paris after defeating Lukasz Ciszek of Poland in the final 6-0. "Discrimination in sports," Singh wrote on X. "Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Gold medallists were awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, but what about Paris 2024 Paralympic Gold medalists? Same competition, same gold, same pride why not the same award?" Following India's gold-winning performance at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics, shooter Avani Lekhara, javelin thrower Sumit Antil and shuttler Pramod Bhagat were honoured with the Khel Ratna along with Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra. "In the year 2021, all Olympic medal winners and Paralympic gold medal winners were honoured with

I believe there has been a lapse: Manu Bhaker on Khel Ratna nomination

The 2020 Arjuna Awardee said that regardless of the award, she should remain motivated to win more medals for her country

Why India must mind the financial impact of hosting Olympic Games

All summer games held between 1960 and 2024 had significant cost escalations for host countries

Sports fraternity helpless as medal-yielding sports excluded from 2026 CWG

India's leading sportspersons and administrators expressed surprise and helplessness after the country's medal prospects took a hit with the exclusion of hockey, shooting, cricket, badminton and wrestling from the roster of a heavily scaled-down 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Relocated to the Scottish capital after Victoria's withdrawal as host due to an increase in projected costs, the Games will feature just 10 events, which is nine less than the previous edition held in 2022 in Birmingham. Table tennis, squash and archery are also not part of what will be a massively pruned down Games. The organisers have said having lesser events at just four venues will ensure that the showpiece is able to manage the financial and operational risks involved. But the roster has stunned the Indian sports fraternity. "It's a shocking news and very disappointing but it's not in our hands," said Harmanpreet Singh, under whose captaincy the Indian men's hockey team won a bronze medal at the Paris

India overjoyed that its para-athletes have brought home 29 medals: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India is overjoyed that its "incredible" para-athletes have brought home 29 medals from the Paralympics, which is the best ever performance since the country's debut at the Games. "Paralympics 2024 have been special and historical. India is overjoyed that our incredible para-athletes have brought home 29 medals, which is the best-ever performance since India's debut at the Games," Modi said in a post on X. This achievement is due to the unwavering dedication and indomitable spirit of our athletes, he said. "Their sporting performances have given us many moments to remember and inspired several upcoming athletes," Modi said.

Tripled budget led to record medals at Asiad, Para Games: Sports minister

The 44th Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) General Assembly, held in New Delhi on Sunday, showcased India's commitment to sports and its achievements on the international stage.Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted the significant strides India has made under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi."Under the dynamic leadership of PM Modi, the government has significantly increased the sports budget from approximately $ 143 million in 2014-2015 to around $470 million today. This has contributed to India's exceptional performance at the Asian Games with 117 medals and Asian Para Games with 111 medals...we focus on grassroots talents..." Mandaviya stated.He emphasized the government's focus on nurturing grassroots talent, a crucial aspect of India's sports development strategy.The Sports Minister underscored the transformative impact of increased funding and support for sports in India. The substantial budget increase has facilitated improved training facilities, better

Randhir Singh set to be elected as first Indian president of OCA

Veteran sports administrator Randhir Singh is set to be elected as the first Indian president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) in the 44th General Assembly of the Asian body here on Sunday. Randhir, a former Indian shooter, will be officially named OCA president in the presence of Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and top sports leaders from all 45 countries of Asia. Randhir, 77, hails from Patiala in Punjab and belongs to a family of sportspersons. His uncle, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, played Test cricket for India and was an IOC member. His father Bhalindra Singh, also a first-class cricketer, was an IOC Member between 1947 and 1992. Randhir competed in four Asian Games, winning the trap gold in 1978, bronze in 1982 and a team silver 1986. He also competed at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada. Randhir entered sports administration in 1987 when he was appointed the secretary-general of the Indian Olympic Association, a position he held till 2012. He was also ..

Harvinder Singh becomes 1st Indian archer to win gold medal at Paralympics

Tokyo Games bronze-winner Harvinder Singh became the first Indian archer to win a gold medal at the Paralympics, beating Poland's Lukasz Ciszek in a lop-sided final here on Wednesday. The 33-year-old Indian, who lost to Kevin Mather of the USA in the Tokyo Paralympics semifinals before securing a bronze three years ago, put up a dominant show to knock out Ciszek 6-0 (28-24, 28-27, 29-25). Harvinder, who is pursuing Ph.D in Economics, won five back-to-back matches in a single day, showing neither fatigue nor nerves to etch his name in history and clinch India's second medal in archery here. Both his legs are impaired owing to the side effects of dengue treatment that he underwent as a toddler.

'Source of inspiration': PM Modi wishes Indian contingent at Paralympics

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday wished the very best to India's contingent at the Paris Paralympics 2024, saying the courage and determination of every athlete are a source of inspiration for the entire nation. In a post on X, Modi said, "140 crore Indians wish our contingent at the Paris #Paralympics 2024 the very best." "The courage and determination of every athlete are a source of inspiration for the entire nation. Everyone is rooting for their success," he said, using the hashtag 'Cheer4Bharat'. The summer of sports in Paris begins its final chapter on Wednesday with the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games. More than 4,000 athletes with physical, visual and intellectual impairments will compete in 22 sports over the next 11 days.

Viacom18 delivers historic Olympics presentation, streaming breaks records

For the first time, Olympics coverage in India was presented across 20 concurrent feeds, on JioCinema for free, as fans watched their preferred action and Indian performances

'Onus lied on Vinesh Phogat to remain below weight limit,' says CAS

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled that athletes will have to ensure that they remain below their wight limit and no exception can be provided under any circumstance, while giving reasons for its rejection of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat's appeal against her disqualification from the Paris Olympics final. An ad-hoc division of the CAS had on August 14 rejected her appeal against a gut-wrenching disqualification from the final for being 100gm overweight, a decision that evoked a sharp reaction from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The CAS on Monday published a detailed decision, furnishing reasons why Vinesh's appeal was rejected. "The problem for the Athlete is that the Rules are clear as to the weight limit and are the same for all participants. There is no tolerance provided for - it is an upper limit. It does not even allow for the weight of the singlet. It is clearly up to an athlete to ensure that they remain below that limit," the CAS said. "There is no

Los Angeles looks ahead for next Olympics, hopes to turn a profit

LA28 has an estimated budget of nearly $7 billion to cover costs including the opening and closing ceremonies

Your life is inspirational: PM to Olympic medal winning grappler Sehrawat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday lauded wrestler Aman Sehrawat for winning the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics and said his life is inspirational for others. Congratulating the 21-year-old athlete over the phone, he noted that Sehrawat was the youngest of the Indian medal-winners in this Olympic games, and said his feat will continue to bring the country joy for a long time. "Your life is inspirational for the people of the country," the prime minister said. Modi noted that Sehrawat lost his parents at a young age and has devoted himself to wrestling. Sehrawat conveyed his thanks to the prime minister for all the facilities given to him and expressed confidence about winning the gold medal in the next Olympic games. Sehrawat won bronze by defeating Puerto Rico's Darian Cruz in the men's 57kg freestyle category at the Paris Olympic Games on Friday. The U-23 world champion was the lone Indian male wrestler to qualify for the Paris Games and he did not disappoint, winning

Paris Olympics 2024 HIGHLIGHTS Day 12: Mirabai Chanu finishes fourth; Avinash finishes 11th

India at Olympics HIGLIGHTS: Vinesh's Phogat disqualified from gold medal bout, while Indian women's table tennis team lost to Germany in Q/Fs. Check Paris 2024 highlights

Olympics have gap that streaming platform Netflix is trying to fill: Report

Just as Drive to Survive forged a deeper connection between fans and Formula 1 auto racing, the IOC hopes these projects will pique awareness and interest among a new generation of Olympics fans

'Conspiracy theories' on Vinesh's expulsion; before her it was Narsingh

Social media erupted with conspiracy theories on wrestler Vinesh Phogat's disqualification, where sports enthusiasts questioned how she could gain two kilograms in a day, especially after a match

Vinesh Phogat becomes 1st Indian woman wrestler to enter Olympic finals

The 29-year-old from Haryana defeated Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba 5-0 in the semifinals to assure India of at least Silver medal. Vinesh's final on August 7.