- August 3, 2024
This is greatest show by Indian shooters in history of Games: Gagan Narang | Paris Olympics 2024 News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: Gagan Narang, an Olympic medallist himself and the Indian contingent’s Chef de Mission, lauded the shooting team’s performance at the Paris Games on Saturday. He described their three bronze medals as the finest display in India’s Olympic history.
Manu Bhaker made history by becoming the first Indian since the country’s independence to secure two bronze medals in a single Olympic Games.Her first bronze came in the women’s 10m air pistol event, followed by another in the 10m air pistol mixed team competition alongside Sarabjot Singh.
On Saturday, Bhaker came close to winning a third bronze but ultimately finished fourth in the women’s 25m sports pistol event.
Swapnil Kusale contributed to India’s medal tally by clinching a bronze in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions event.
“This is perhaps the greatest show by Indian shooters in the history of the Games. It has been an emotional first week in Paris, with shooting giving us a head start in the medal tally. I am overwhelmed with happiness to see Manu, Sarabjot and Swapnil win medals at the same time,” Narang said, as quoted by PTI.
Prior to the Paris Games, the most impressive Olympic performance by Indian shooters was at the 2012 London Olympics. Vijay Kumar secured a silver medal in the 25m rapid fire pistol event, while Narang clinched a bronze in the 10m air rifle competition.
“I am so proud of Arjun Babuta as well, who finished fourth in the tough 10m Air Rifle event.”
Talking about Swapnil, he said, “I remember competing alongside Swapnil in 2017 at the Commonwealth Championship in Gold Coast, where he claimed the bronze medal after giving me a tough fight for the silver medal.
“It is truly emotional to see him reaching this level and achieving his dream of winning an Olympic medal for India, and that too, on the same day when I had won mine in 2012 in London. It almost feels like destiny,” he added.
Narang emphasized the importance of recognizing and appreciating the efforts of all the athletes who qualified for the Paris Olympics, not just those who secured medals.
“As an athlete, it is everyone’s dream to compete at the Olympics, but only a few earn the opportunity after years of hard work. The margins in the Olympics are so less that there’s no difference in preparation between the 1st place and 8th place.
“While winning medals is important, it is equally important to acknowledge our athletes’ efforts for their years of hard work and sacrifice. As a nation, we must celebrate all our Olympians irrespective of the results,” he said.
“All the athletes who were unable to win a medal will have a fire burning brighter in them and they will learn from their opponents and will be inspired to perform even better.”
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) vice-president expressed optimism about India’s prospects of securing additional medals in the upcoming week.
“I am delighted to see our athletes rising up to the occasion and delivering such outstanding performances. I am confident that we are going to win more medals in Paris.”
Manu Bhaker made history by becoming the first Indian since the country’s independence to secure two bronze medals in a single Olympic Games.Her first bronze came in the women’s 10m air pistol event, followed by another in the 10m air pistol mixed team competition alongside Sarabjot Singh.
On Saturday, Bhaker came close to winning a third bronze but ultimately finished fourth in the women’s 25m sports pistol event.
Swapnil Kusale contributed to India’s medal tally by clinching a bronze in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions event.
“This is perhaps the greatest show by Indian shooters in the history of the Games. It has been an emotional first week in Paris, with shooting giving us a head start in the medal tally. I am overwhelmed with happiness to see Manu, Sarabjot and Swapnil win medals at the same time,” Narang said, as quoted by PTI.
Prior to the Paris Games, the most impressive Olympic performance by Indian shooters was at the 2012 London Olympics. Vijay Kumar secured a silver medal in the 25m rapid fire pistol event, while Narang clinched a bronze in the 10m air rifle competition.
“I am so proud of Arjun Babuta as well, who finished fourth in the tough 10m Air Rifle event.”
Talking about Swapnil, he said, “I remember competing alongside Swapnil in 2017 at the Commonwealth Championship in Gold Coast, where he claimed the bronze medal after giving me a tough fight for the silver medal.
“It is truly emotional to see him reaching this level and achieving his dream of winning an Olympic medal for India, and that too, on the same day when I had won mine in 2012 in London. It almost feels like destiny,” he added.
Narang emphasized the importance of recognizing and appreciating the efforts of all the athletes who qualified for the Paris Olympics, not just those who secured medals.
“As an athlete, it is everyone’s dream to compete at the Olympics, but only a few earn the opportunity after years of hard work. The margins in the Olympics are so less that there’s no difference in preparation between the 1st place and 8th place.
“While winning medals is important, it is equally important to acknowledge our athletes’ efforts for their years of hard work and sacrifice. As a nation, we must celebrate all our Olympians irrespective of the results,” he said.
“All the athletes who were unable to win a medal will have a fire burning brighter in them and they will learn from their opponents and will be inspired to perform even better.”
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) vice-president expressed optimism about India’s prospects of securing additional medals in the upcoming week.
“I am delighted to see our athletes rising up to the occasion and delivering such outstanding performances. I am confident that we are going to win more medals in Paris.”
