As the world gearing up for Paris Olympics 2024, Indian athletes are leaving no stone unturned to prepare them for the global stage. Importantly, In less than 20 days, they will arrive in Paris for the Olympic Games after taking special training session from various parts of the world including Japan, Germany, the US, and Turkey. This journey marks the culmination of three years of intense preparation for the mega event.
According to a report by The Indian Express, the preparations for this mega event is on a scale never seen before.
The minutes of meetings held almost every Thursday over the past three years by India’s Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) detail these efforts, ranging from arranging living quarters in Germany for badminton players to providing special feed for horses in the equestrian event.
A notable example is a team of 12 specialists assisting badminton star P V Sindhu at a training camp in Saarbrucken, Germany, in her pursuit of a third Olympic medal. To ensure her comfort and readiness, her accommodations include a large TV and a lounge for relaxation and meetings. She is also using an infrared sauna cabin for recovery, while her fellow shuttler H S Prannoy received funds for Hyperbaric Oxygen and Red Light therapies.
For table tennis player Manika Batra, a table identical to the one used at the Olympics was imported from China to help her adjust to its specific characteristics. Equestrian prospect Anush Agarwalla’s horse received special feed, saddle pads, boots, and blankets. Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu was provided with an iPad and high-speed cameras.
Table tennis player Sharath Kamal who underwent extensive tests, and boxer Nikhat Zareen had also received a laser unit for injury recovery. This level of support from the Government contrasts sharply with the situation a decade ago. In 2016, it was runner Dutee Chand who publicly broke down in tears because she didn’t had proper shoes a day before she left for the Rio olympics. For the 2012 Olympics, bronze medallist Mary Kom largely depended on private sponsors for training abroad. Shooter Abhinav Bindra in his autobiography recounted his frustration over the lack of support from the Sports Ministry in 2006 for coaching, equipments, and funds.
The MOC, which includes former athletes, Indian and foreign coaches, high-performance directors, and officials from federations and the Government, plays a crucial role in these preparations. Although such meticulous preparation is common in leading sporting nations like the USA and China, it represents a significant step for Indian sports in terms of scale.
Notably, officials say that Rs 72 crore were spent under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) during this three-year cycle leading to Paris which is nearly the double amount spent for Rio 2016. According to the RTI, the MOC approved 403 proposals from about 100 Olympic hopefuls under TOPS, covering a wide range of equipment, facilities, and customised training plans, including shoes, sunglasses, sports watches, high-speed cameras, traditional equipment, cutting-edge technologies, clothes, food, and supplements.
The Athletics Federation of India anticipates two medals in Paris, boxing predicts three, badminton expects two to three, and both archery and weightlifting project one medal each. At the Tokyo Olympics, India secured seven medals, including Neeraj Chopra’s historic gold in javelin. India is eyeing to take its make its tally in double digit this time.
India’s preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris has been unprecedented, demonstrating a remarkable level of support and meticulous planning for its athletes. The extensive measures, ranging from specialised equipment and training facilities aim to maximise the potential of Indian athletes on the global stage. With ambitious medal predictions across various sports, India is poised to make a significant impact at the Paris Olympics, aspiring to achieve a historic double-digit medal tally.
