India’s Track and Field Performance at Paris Olympics 2024: A Mix of Hits and Misses
The Paris Olympics 2024 saw India’s Track and Field athletes put up a commendable performance. While Neeraj Chopra, the star javelin thrower, won his second medal, other athletes like Avinash Sable, Parul Chaudhary, and the 4x400m relay team also put up decent performances. However, there were also disappointments, with some athletes not performing up to their personal bests.
Neeraj Chopra, who had won gold at the previous Olympics in Tokyo, continued his winning streak by clinching a silver medal in Paris. His throw of 89.34m was just short of the gold medalist’s throw of 89.67m. Chopra’s consistent performance at the international level has made him a household name in India and a force to be reckoned with in the world of athletics.
Avinash Sable, the steeplechase runner, also put up a good show by finishing fifth in the final. Sable had broken the national record in the heats and was expected to do well in the final. Although he missed out on a medal, his performance was still commendable.
Parul Chaudhary, the long-distance runner, finished seventh in the women’s 10,000m final. Chaudhary had qualified for the Olympics by breaking the national record in the event. Her performance in the final was not up to her personal best, but it was still a decent effort.
The 4x400m relay team, comprising of Muhammed Anas, Arokia Rajiv, Amoj Jacob, and Nirmal Tom, finished sixth in the final. The team had broken the national record in the heats and was expected to do well in the final. However, they could not replicate their performance in the final and finished outside the medal bracket.
While there were some hits, there were also some misses. Jyothi Yarraji, the sprinter, failed to qualify for the semi-finals in the women’s 100m event. Annu Rani, the javelin thrower, finished 12th in the final, failing to improve on her personal best. Kishore Jena, the triple jumper, finished 11th in the final, failing to qualify for the top eight. Tejinder Singh Toor, the shot putter, finished 10th in the final, failing to improve on his personal best. Sarvesh Kushare, the discus thrower, finished 9th in the final, failing to qualify for the top eight.
Overall, India’s performance in Track and Field at the Paris Olympics 2024 was a mix of hits and misses. While some athletes put up commendable performances, others failed to live up to their expectations. However, the fact that India had a decent representation in the sport and won medals is a positive sign for the future of athletics in the country. With more investment in infrastructure and training, India can hope to produce more world-class athletes in the future.