Olympic Tales

India ended its campaign with six medals, pending Vinesh Phogat’s verdict, in the Paris Olympics. After achieving their best-ever tally of six medals at the Tokyo Olympics, India fell short of that mark by one medal in Paris.

Yes, India did not win a Gold medal and finished 71st on the rankings, even behind Pakistan. However, considering as many as six fourth-place finishes, India can be proud of what they have achieved.

While badminton stars and boxing heroes failed to live up to the hype, India did well in shooting, bringing back glory days and ending an 8-year drought. Wrestling contingent proved beyond doubt that it will remain one of the most productive sports for India at the Games.

The track and field contingent disappointed, but it’s not fair to expect a lot from them, considering the difference in support systems for our athletes and those in the big medal-winning nations.

Stop being judgemental. Yes, question the athletes for not winning medals, question the system. But, be fair and be respectful towards India’s Olympians.

In the latest episode of the Olympic tales, Akshay Ramesh, Kingshuk Kusari and Alan John discuss India’s Paris Olympics 2024.

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi

Arshad Nadeem won gold in the men's javelin final in Paris Olympics, dethroning Neeraj Chopra. It was an epic India vs Pakistan duel at the Olympics and it promises to become bigger and bigger in the coming years.

Neeraj Chopra was favourite to win gold medal in the men's javelin final in Paris. However, Arshad Nadeem stunned the field with an Olympic record throw of 92.97m. Neeraj came close to breaching the 90m-mark, but it was not enough.

While India celebrated Neeraj Chopra's historic silver medal, there were bittersweet feelings too. Indian sports fans were not used to seeing Neeraj finish second-best often.

Neeraj Chopra has promised to improve. He conceded that breaching 90m is a necessity.

However, it was Arshad Nadeem's day as he stole the thunder at Stade de France in Paris. With limited support and facilities back home, Neeraj became Pakistan's first-ever track and field Olympic gold medalist.

The reactions in both countries was heartwarming. Neeraj Chopra's mother won hearts when she dismissed hate and said 'the guy who won gold is also our child'.

Akshay Ramesh and Saurabh Kumar discuss the sensational men's javelin final at the Olympics.

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Kapil Dev Singh

Harmanpreet Singh and his men have proved their naysayers wrong. After the heartbreak of the World Cup at home last year, the Indian men’s hockey team won its successive Olympic bronze medal. It came after India beat Spain 3-2 in the final in Paris on August 8.

It was the 13th medal for Olympic hockey's most successful men’s team. It was a validation for the core group of Indian players, including PR Sreejesh, Manpreet Singh and Amit Rohidas, who had a topsy-turvy ride after winning the Tokyo Olympics medal.

In Paris, India was not labelled as a favourite after being drawn into a tough group that also included Australia and Belgium. However, they laid down an early marker after hammering Australia.

With the victory, India’s legendary PR Sreejesh bowed out. He was emotional after the win as he bowed down to his equipment and recreated the Tokyo 2020 pose.

Meanwhile, there is a glimmer of hope for Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified. The wrestler retired in a heartbreaking post on social media on Thursday. She appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, saying she should be given a joint silver medal for her actions on the opening day of the women’s 50kg wrestling competition in Paris.

Akshay Ramesh and Saurabh Kumar discuss the historic hockey victory and the details of Vinesh Phogat’s appeal to the CAS.

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Kapil Dev Singh

Vinesh Phogat was a win away from becoming India's first female Olympic champion. The nation was waiting for Gold. On Tuesday, Vinesh Phogat had a dream day as she scripted one of the biggest upsets in Olympic history by beating Yui Susaki, the Japanese wrestler who had not lost an international bout until then and had an 82-0 record.

After conquering the opening hurdle, Vinesh breezed into the final and looked good to script history.

However, disaster struck! Vinesh Phogat was disqualified for not meeting the weight category of 50kg during the weigh-in on the morning of the big Gold medal match. Vinesh was deemed overweight by just 100 grams. Yes, that’s less than what your phone weighs.

It was one of the most heartbreaking stories of the Olympic Games for India. Vinesh had seen heartbreaks in the 2016 and 2021 Olympics. She was the face of the wrestlers’ protests in India. She had very little time to even qualify for the Paris Olympics. But she fought against the odds and aced all challenges to book her ticket to Paris.

However, disaster struck on Wednesday morning, leaving a billion hearts crushed.

Who is to blame for the fiasco? Why blame Vinesh Phogat or her trainers? Could she have won silver had she claimed injury and avoided the weigh-in on the second day?

Many conspiracy theories are floating around. Heartbroken Akshay Ramesh and Kingshuk Kusari discuss the harrowing day for India at the Paris Olympics.

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Kapil Dev Singh

Legendary badminton player Prakash Padukone criticised the Indian athletes for not living up to expectations after his ward, 22-year-old Lakshya Sen, lost the bronze medal bout in men's singles badminton. The former All-England champion, who runs a world-class academy in Bengaluru, expressed his frustration, saying he was disappointed that Indian shuttlers drew a blank in Paris.

Prakash Padukone argued that Viktor Axelsen's praise for Lakshya Sen meant nothing because his ward failed to medal at the Games. He highlighted that Lakshya needs a lot of work.

At the same time, Prakash Padukone said the Indian government has gone beyond its way to support Indian athletes in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics and urged the athletes to take more responsibility.

However, the reaction to Prakash Padukone's comments has been mixed. Some argue that the coaches should take responsibility when the athletes lose if they are okay with taking credit when winning. Doubles shuttler Ashwini Ponnappa called Prakash out for his comments.

Isn't he right in more than one way?

Akshay Ramesh and Alan John discuss the Indian badminton team's failures and the series of fourth-placed finishes in Paris for India.

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Kapil Dev Singh

The Indian hockey team thrilled the nation on Sunday, August 4. PR Sreejesh's men defeated Great Britain in a thrilling shootout to progress to the semi-finals. It was a special effort from the Men in Blue, as they were down to 10 men as early as the second quarter.

The red card, a rare occurrence in hockey, was shown to India's defender Amit Rohidas. However, the 8-time Gold medalists defended their lives for 44 minutes to progress to the semi-final and give themselves another chance to win an Olympic medal.

PR Sreejesh, the veteran goalkeeper who will hang up his boots after Paris 2024, was again the hero. Great Britain had 24 shots on target, including 11 penalty corners, but they managed just one goal. Sreejesh was the star in the shootout and saved three to help India win it 4-2.

Sreejesh is one of the finest players in the sport. We wish he was celebrated more by sports fans, as much as the Virat Kohlis and the Rohit Sharmas.

In the latest episode of Olympic Tales, Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar, and Alan John discuss India's hockey heroics at the Paris Olympics.

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Kapil Dev Singh

Pune-born Swapnil Kusale secured India's first-ever Olympic medal in the 50m rifle three positions event on a day when four strong podium contenders from the country, including PV Sindhu and Satwik-Chirag, were knocked out of the Games.

While Swapnil won the bronze medal, Anjum Moudgil and Samra failed to qualify for the final of the women's 50m rifle three positions event. In-form Lakshya Sen continued his pursuit of a maiden Olympic medal, while Satwik and Chirag's hopes were dashed following a heartbreaking three-game loss in the men's doubles quarterfinals.

Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen's Olympic debut ended in a heartbreak after she lost to China's Wu Yu in the women's 50kg division. Even Sindhu's pursuit of an unparalleled third Olympic medal ended in heartbreak as she lost to China's He Bing Jiao. India's athletics campaign was off to a poor start as 20km race walkers failed to put up creditable performances.

But, the biggest highlight of August 1 was the boxing controversy. Italy's Angela Carini abandoned her bout against Algerian boxer Imane Khelif after just 46 seconds, saying that one punch from Khelif "hurt too much" to continue. It was enough for her to withdraw from the fight and fuelled debate on social media about the fairness of the contest as many started to label Imane Khelif as "biologically male" and a "transgender".

However, the International Olympic Committee defended its decision to allow two female boxers to compete at the Paris Olympics despite an ongoing gender row, saying the pair were facing 'aggression' because of an arbitrary decision.

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Kapil Dev Singh

After shooters, Indian boxers look to add to the medals tally at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Lovlina Borgohain advanced to the quarter-finals of the women's 75kg boxing event after defeating Norway's Sunniva Hofstad by unanimous decision.

On the other hand, unseeded Nishant Dev won his opening match against seventh-seeded Jose Rodriguez Tenorio of Ecuador with a 3:2 split decision. In the quarter-finals, Nishant will face second-seeded Marco Verde of Mexico, the reigning Pan-American champion. Mind you, both Nishant and Lovlina are just one step away from a podium finish at the Paris Olympics.

Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula also scripted history by becoming the first Indian Table Tennis players to reach the Round of 16 at the Olympics. However, India's hopes of a historic medal in TT crashed after both Manika and Sreeja lost their Round of 16 matches. Akula fought hard before losing to world number one Yingshaw Sun on her bitter-sweet birthday. But this is just the start for Indian paddlers in the Olympics. Never ever India had two singles players competing for quarterfinal berths, but seasoned Manika and Sreeja showed that TT had the potential to do better on the big stage by reaching the Round of 16.

Saurabh Kumar and Akshay Ramesh reflect on the first five days of the Paris Olympics in the latest episode of the Olympic Tales podcast.

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Nitin Rawat

Indian shooters are making heads turn at the Paris Olympics. After failing to win a medal in the last two Olympic Games, the Indian shooters have won two medals in the first four days. Five of them have reached finals in the said period. They have been leading the way for the Indian contingent at the Games. Manu Bhaker opened India's medal tally, and she scripted history by becoming the first athlete in independent India to win more than one medal in a single edition of the Games.

Sarabjot Singh's interview with India Today from Paris shed light on the stunning shift in the mindset of Indian athletes. The 22-year-old, shy shooter made it clear that he was not happy with the bronze medal. After all, it is an Olympic medal, and Sarabjot should have been over the moon. Yes, he was elated with the bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, but he spoke about gunning for Gold in Los Angeles after four years.

Indian athletes are no longer attending the Olympic Games just to make up numbers. Badminton stars have made it to the next round, and the archers have bounced back from team events. Lovina Borgohain is in the quarter-final, needing only one more win for her second Olympic medal.

Saurabh Kumar and Akshay Ramesh reflect on the first four days of the Paris Olympics in the latest episode of the Olympic Tales podcast.

Tune in!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Manu Bhaker became the first Indian to win a medal for the country at the Paris Olympics. The 22-year-old shot a bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol to become the country’s first female Olympic medalist in shooting. Manu went through a tough phase after failing to live up to the hype in the Tokyo Olympics, her maiden Games appearance. Her pistol malfunctioned in a qualifying round, which impacted her confidence in Tokyo.

Manu Bhaker even pondered quitting shooting in 2023. However, her reunion with coach Jaspal Rana worked wonders. She also used the Bhagavad Gita to regain focus and script history in Paris. The Haryana shooter overcame the odds to silence her critics in Paris. Her coach, Jaspal, speaking to India Today, said he helped Manu understand her potential and worked on the mental aspect of the game.

Meanwhile, India’s Arjun Babuta missed on a medal in the men’s 10m air rifle final by the barest of margins, finishing fourth. He joined a list of legends who missed the podium by a small margin.

While the athletes in Paris have been receiving a lot of love, the archery teams have been trolled online in a poor gesture. Saurabh Kumar and Akshay Ramesh discuss the highs and lows of the first two days of India’s Paris Olympics campaign.

Produced & Mixed by: Kapil Dev Singh