Paris (France), July 26: The long-awaited Olympic Games in Paris are about to begin. Thousands of athletes from all over the world will enter the arena with the aim of honoring their country.

While the US, China, South Korea and many other countries are trying to dominate the medal tally, India is set to make its mark and rewrite history.

In the 2024 Summer Games, 117 athletes will form the Indian contingent in 16 sports disciplines, comprising 70 men and 47 women. They will participate in 69 events and compete for 95 medals.

India’s two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and multiple Olympic, Commonwealth and Asian Games medallist Achanta Sharath Kamal will lead the Indian contingent as flag bearers, carrying the tricolour.

As Olympic fever grips the world and millions of people are watching closely the many games being played in the coming weeks, Indian fans have flocked to Paris to show their love and support for the athletes.

Sarvanan, who hails from Tamil Nadu but lives in England, travelled from the UK to cheer on the 117 Indian athletes.

“I am from Tamil Nadu but I live in England so we have come all the way from England to support India. We wish them all the best. We want more and more medals. Neeraj Chopra, your throw will be even better than last time. It will break all records so far. All the best to all the 117 athletes,” Sarvanan told ANI.

Saundarya, who is a fan of Neeraj Chopra and PV Sindhu, hopes India will bring more medals and said, “My kids are excited to see Indian players in the Olympics. So, we are excited to see more and more medals from India. Chak De India. We are looking forward to more medals. I am a fan of PV Sindhu and Neeraj Chopra.”

Pritesh Salve, who is in Paris for the first time to show his support for Indian athletes, said: “I am very excited. We are from India and we are here for the first time in Paris to support India. We are excited.”

Dhiraj Kumar Panna, who hails from Bhubaneswar, hopes India will win more gold medals in Paris and said, “It is a lifetime memory to come to the Olympics and cheer for India. I don’t want to miss that. If possible, I will watch all the events and cheer for India.”

“I am supporting Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, and also supporting Neeraj Chopra. Hopefully we will get more medals than last time and more gold medals too,” he added.

India is hoping to reach double figures for the first time at the Olympics and improve its medal tally from seven at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

In the previous edition, India won seven medals, including its first-ever gold medal in athletics, won by ‘Golden Boy’ Neeraj Chopra in the javelin throw.

The sixteen sporting disciplines include archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, equestrianism, golf, hockey, judo, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming, table tennis and tennis.

India will get their first shot at a medal in the mixed team air rifle medal matches scheduled for July 27 at the National Shooting Centre in Chateauroux. Two Indian teams, Sandeep Singh/Elavenil Valarivan and Arjun Babuta/Ramita Jindal, will be participating in the event. Manu Bhaker will be competing in two individual pistol events and also in the 10m air pistol mixed team competition.

The star of the show, reigning Olympic and World Javelin Champion Neeraj Chopra, will be in action in August. The men’s javelin qualifiers will be held on August 6, with the finals two days later. Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu will be looking to make it a hat-trick of medals in badminton events scheduled from July 27 to August 5.

Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who won the silver medal at Tokyo 2020, will compete in the women’s -49kg category on August 7.

Lovlina Borgohain, who won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, will be in action in the boxing events that begin on July 27 and end on August 10. Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen will make her Olympic debut as a major contender for Team India.

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