The Paris 2024 Olympics opened with a spectacular and ambitious ceremony, featuring thousands of athletes sailing along the River Seine. This marked the first time an Olympic opening ceremony took place on a waterway instead of in a stadium. Athletes floated past lively performances on bridges, banks, and rooftops, with the nearly four-hour spectacle captivating the audience.
India sent a delegation of 117 athletes to Paris, comprising 70 men and 47 women. This is the second-largest delegation for India, following the 121 athletes who competed in Tokyo. The absence of the women’s hockey team, which failed to qualify for these Games, meant India fell short of surpassing its previous record.
On Day 1 of the Paris Olympics, India’s performance was disappointing. Shooters were eliminated in both the 10m air rifle mixed team qualification stage and the 10m air pistol men’s qualification. Despite this, Manu Bhaker stood out by advancing to the 10m women’s air pistol final. She finished third in the qualifications with a score of 580. Hungarian shooter Veronika Major topped the qualification with a score of 582, while Rhythm Sangwan, the other Indian participant, ended 15th with a score of 573. The final is scheduled for Sunday.
In rowing, Balraj Panwar, India’s sole rower, finished fourth in the first heat race. The top three from each heat advance to the quarterfinals, but Panwar remains in contention as he will compete in the repechage round on Sunday. Panwar had previously finished fourth at the 2022 Asian Games in China.
In the 10m air rifle mixed team qualification, the teams of Sandeep Singh/Elavenil Valarivan and Arjun Babuta/Ramita Jindal did not secure a spot in the final. In the 10m air pistol men’s qualification, Arjun Singh Cheema and Sarabjot Singh also missed out on qualification. Although Sarabjot reached the final series, he did not advance further.
Overall, the first day of the Paris Olympics has been a mixed experience for India, with Manu Bhaker providing a bright spot amidst the challenges.
Also Read: Olympics 2024 Opening Ceremony: Paris Dazzles With River Parade And Star Performances
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