"Not the result we were hoping for" - Swimmer Srihari Nataraj after Paris Olympics exit
Srihari Nataraj was one of the two-member Indian swimming contingent at the Paris Olympics 2024 alongside 14-year-old Dhinidhi Desinghu. Both the swimmers got their place in the Summer Games through University quota. However, both were eliminated from their respective events.
Nataraj participated in the men's 100m backstroke event and finished second in the heats. However, the preliminary round saw him position himself in the 33rd place.
Three days after his elimination, Srihari Nataraj took to social media to express his feelings after partaking in his second Olympics campaign. He wrote on Instagram:
"That's a wrap to my Olympic Campaign!! Was definitely great to take part in my second olympic games. Not the result we were hoping for or expecting, but that's sport at the end of the day!! "
He further added:
"Off season begins now. Onwards and upwards. A huge thanks to my entire team who've been by my side through this!!"
In Tokyo, Srihari Nataraj finished 27th, clocking 54.31 seconds.
India's results from day 4 of the Paris Olympics 2024
Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain qualified for the women's 75kg boxing quarter-final by defeating Norway's Sunniva Hofstad 5:0. Archer Deepika Kumari, whose performance was criticized post the team event, also advanced to the round of 16 of the individual event.
Sreeja Akula got the better of Singapore's Zeng Jian and will be taking on Chinese paddler Sun Yingsha in the round of 16 on August 1 at 12.30am IST.
Fellow paddler Manika Batra however, got knocked out of the Paris Olympics after succumbing to a defeat at the hands of Japan's Miu Hirano.
PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen continued their good run of form as the former won her group stage fixture against Estonia's Kristin Kuuba and the latter booked a place in the round of 16 by defeating Indonesia's Jonatan Christie.
Balraj Panwar has advanced to the final D of the men's singles sculls after finishing sixth, clocking 7:04.97 in the process. However, the best news came from the shooting contingent as Swapnil Kusale qualifed for the men's 50m 3P finals, which is scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 1. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar was also a part of the same event but he failed to qualify for the finals.
The latest news is of archer Tarundeep Rai, who lost 6-4 to Great Britain's Tom Hall in his round of 64 clash. Also, Anush Agarwalla failed to qualify for the dressage individual grand prix final.