New Delhi, India, July 21, 2024: India’s javelin star Neeraj Chopra is among 24 Indian Armed Forces personnel who are set to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics which get underway on Friday, July 26.
The 117-strong Indian athletic contingent at the Paris Games will comprise 13 Armed Forces personnel in athletics alone. There are also two women marking the maiden participation of female service athletes at the Olympics.
The two women are Jaismine Lamboria, a 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist in boxing, and Reetika Hooda, who won a bronze medal at the 2023 Asian Wrestling Championships.
Leading the charge of the Indian Armed Forces will be defending Olympic gold medallist in men’s javelin Neeraj Chopra. The javelin favourite enters the Paris Olympics following a recent streak of impressive victories including gold medals at last year’s Hangzhou Asian Games, the 2023 World Championships and the 2024 Paavo Nurmi Games.
Other notable participants from the Armed Forces are Amit Panghal in boxing, Tajinderpal Singh Toor in shot-put and Avinash Mukund Sable in the 3000m steeplechase. The men’s 4x400m relay team in athletics also includes two service members – Muhammed Anas Yahiya and Muhammed Ajmal.
The strong representation underscores the Armed Forces’ dedication to fostering athletic talent and promoting sports culture across India. As the nation rallies behind its 117 athletes, there’s hope that India will surpass its Tokyo 2020 Olympic tally of seven medals – one gold medal, two silver and four bronze.
