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As the Paris Olympics approach, Gracenote's predictions have sparked a debate among Indian sports fans. According to their forecast, India is expected to secure fewer than 10 medals in the Paris Olympics, short of their Tokyo 2020 prediction where India was tipped for 17 medals. This time, the projection places India outside the top 20 nations.
Despite this cautious outlook, there's plenty to be optimistic about the Paris Olympics. The Indian sports ecosystem has seen remarkable growth over the last decade. The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) has channeled INR 72 crore into athlete development over the past three years, significantly more than the investment for Rio 2016.
This financial boost has enhanced training facilities, improved injury management, and introduced advanced recovery centers for athletes at the Games Village.
Where can India bring in these five predicted medals in the Paris Olympics 2024?
Gracenote's forecast includes three gold medals for India at the Paris Olympics, which brings hope. One of the brightest stars is Neeraj Chopra, the defending Olympic champion in men’s javelin throw.
His consistent excellence in the javelin throw, coupled with his Olympic gold and titles from the World Athletics Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Championships, and Diamond League, positions him well to defend his title. While competitors like Jakub Vadlejch and Julian Weber have also reached impressive distances, Chopra’s steady performance gives him an edge.
In shooting, Gracenote anticipates two medals at the Summer Olympics. Manu Bhaker is a notable name that has consistently excelled in international competitions. Additionally, Ramita Jindal, Arjun Babuta, Aishwary Tomar, and Sarabjot Singh have all shown they can compete at the highest level.
Their impressive haul of seven gold medals at last year’s Asian Games makes it hopeful for their potential to make a significant impact in Paris.
Boxing is another area where India is expected to shine, with two predicted medals. Nikhat Zareen is a strong contender in the sport and has been almost unbeatable since 2022, dominating the 50kg category.
Her consistent performance makes her a likely medalist. Lovlina Borgohain, despite facing a challenging draw, has previously beaten her quarterfinal opponent, Li Qian, which bodes well for her chances in Paris.
