The Olympic Games boast a rich history that spans over two millennia, deeply intertwining with sport and culture. Originating in 776 BC, the ancient Games were held every four years in honour of the god Zeus, featuring athletic contests and artistic events such as music, poetry, and theatre.
The Olympic Games boast a rich history that spans over two millennia, deeply intertwining with sport and culture. Originating in 776 BC, the ancient Games were held every four years in honour of the god Zeus, featuring athletic contests and artistic events such as music, poetry, and theatre.
The Olympic Games are the world’s only truly global, multi-sport, celebratory athletics competition. With over 200 countries participating in over 400 events across the Summer and Winter Games, the Olympics are where the world comes to compete, feel inspired, and be together.
On 26 July 2024, the Paris Olympic Games will open with a groundbreaking celebration focused on the athletes with a parade along the Seine, enabling hundreds of thousands of spectators along the riverbanks to share the moment with the athletes. For the first time in the Summer Games history, all the medal winners will be invited to meet and celebrate with thousands of fans at Trocadéro, in the heart of Paris, in a magnificent space freely accessible to all.
Over the past few editions, the number of Indian athletes at the Olympic Summer Games has steadily increased. At Tokyo 2020, the Indian contingent comprised 124 athletes, the largest the country had sent to the Games. India also won seven medals, their biggest haul in a single Olympics – including Neeraj Chopra’s historic gold medal in the men’s javelin throw.
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, India sent its largest-ever contingent for the games, consisting of 117 athletes across 16 sports disciplines. This diverse team, which includes 70 men and 47 women, will compete in 69 events with 95 medals at stake. Supported by an impressive funding allocation of over 470 Crore rupees, the Indian athletes are primed to make their mark on the global stage. Tennis star Rohan Bopanna, at 44, is the oldest athlete to represent India at Paris 2024, while swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu, at 14, is the youngest competitor. Athletics is the largest contributor to the Indian contingent, with 29 players. The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) is a flagship program that provides targeted assistance to potential Olympic medalists. TOPS offers support in several key areas.
The impact of these efforts is evident from the significant increase in medals won across recent competitions. From winning two medals in Rio 2016 to 7 in Tokyo 2020 and from 4 to 19 medals in the Paralympics, India’s performance reflects the enhanced support system, including the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), and extensive corporate backing. The nation’s medal count at the Asian Games and Asian Para Games also surged, showcasing the success of an athlete-centric sports ecosystem and comprehensive government initiatives. This upward trajectory underscores India’s commitment to achieving excellence in global sports.
The Indian government’s comprehensive and targeted approach towards supporting its athletes reflects its commitment to achieving excellence in sports. With a robust support system in place, India aims to significantly improve its performance at the Paris Olympics 2024 and beyond, showcasing the nation’s potential on the global sports stage.
The Olympics have evolved significantly from the inaugural modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 to the ongoing 2024 Games in Paris. The 1896 Games featured 241 athletes from 14 nations, with Greece leading in medals. Over the decades, the Games expanded in scale and inclusivity, with significant milestones including the first participation of women in 1900 and the introduction of new sports and events.
India’s Olympic journey has evolved significantly since its debut at the Paris Olympics in 1900 with just one participant. A landmark moment arrived at the Antwerp Games in 1920 when India sent its first official contingent, marking a century of notable achievements.
The Paris 1924 Olympics marked India’s tennis debut, with five players participating in singles and doubles events. This was followed by the remarkable performance of the Indian men’s hockey team at the Amsterdam 1928 Olympics, where India secured its first Olympic gold medal, led by the iconic Dhyan Chand. Notably, the Hockey team scored 29 goals and did not concede any throughout the tournament, setting a high standard on the international stage.
India’s Olympic journey post-independence began at the London 1948 Games, where the nation fielded its largest contingent yet – 86 athletes across nine sports. The Indian hockey team continued its dominance, securing its fourth Olympic gold and introducing Balbir Singh Sr. as a new star. Over the decades, India’s Olympic history has been punctuated by remarkable achievements: a record eight gold medals in hockey, including six consecutive victories, KD Jadhav’s historic individual medal for independent India, Abhinav Bindra’s groundbreaking gold at Beijing 2008, and Neeraj Chopra’s historic track-and-field gold at Tokyo 2020.