Paris Olympics 2024: Former Olympians stress the importance of continuous preparation for Indian Athletes

Just before the start of the Paris Olympics 2024, former Olympian Gurbux Singh has stated that India’s preparations for the Summer Games should be a continuous process rather than authorities waking up just before the start of the quadrennial event.

Gracing their presence at a panel discussion named “In search of glory - India’s prospects in the 2024 Olympics” conducted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata on Friday, July 12, former Olympians shared their views ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024.

Former Indian men’s hockey team captain Gurbux Singh, who was part of the gold medal-winning team at the 1964 Games and the bronze medal-winning team at the 1968 Games, highlighted the importance of having sports infrastructure and grounds at every educational institution.

"We wake up when the Olympics comes. The whole country wakes up. That attitude must change," Gurbux said to PTI.

Furthermore, he opined on the Indian hockey team’s chances at Paris 2024, stating that the team is placed in a tough group and their immediate target should be to make the cut for the semi-finals and have a winning mindset.

"We are in a difficult group and our first target should be to secure a berth in the semi-final. One important thing should be when you go for the match you only have win in mind,” he added.

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Dipa Karmakar expecting a double-digit medal tally in athletics at Paris Olympics 2024

Sharing her views at the event, gymnast Dipa Karmakar stated that Indian athletes are expected to win medals in double digits in athletics at the Paris Olympics 2024.

Dipa, who missed the bronze narrowly in the 2016 Rio Olympics by finishing fourth at the vault event, also emphasized the importance of having preparations throughout the four-year Olympic cycle to achieve success.

"But as I said, our preparations should continue throughout the year, in four years, continuously," she stated.

Dipa Karmakar’s coach and Dronacharya Award recipient, Bishweshwar Nandi, stated that gymnastics as a sport should be practiced across all the states of the country and expected more youngsters, including girls, to follow Dipa’s footsteps.

"Only in five-six states in India gymnastics is practised as a sport and that should change if we want more youngsters including girls to follow Karmakar's footsteps,” he said.

"We need more support from states to back budding talents from not-so-affluent families," he added.

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