“We were expecting medals from shooters” - IOA President PT Usha expresses delight at bronze medal wins in Paris 2024 Olympics
After Swapnil Kusale won India’s third bronze medal in shooting at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympics, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha expressed her delight at the performance of the Indian shooting contingent in France.
“We were expecting medals from shooters and now we have won three and expecting more from shooters. Great moment for me and overall all of us,” PT Usha told reporters, as per PTI.
Swapnil Kusale’s bronze medal victory in the 50m rifle 3p event was the third won by the 21-member shooting contingent. Manu Bhaker had earlier created history by winning the first medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event, and the duo of Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh won India’s second bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event.
Speaking about her expectations at this year’s summer Olympic Games, PT Usha, a three-time Olympian herself, said:
“We have won seven medals in Tokyo but we should win more than seven here and hoping good results from other disciplines as well.”
She expressed hopes of a good performance from the 29-member athletics contingent in Paris, especially from the Tokyo 2020 gold medalist and India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra.
“Our focus is on the athletes, whatever the athletes want IOA has done everything for them,” she said. “Already Neeraj has shown his performance two times and I hope he will do good now also.”
“Thrilled to watch Swapnil Kusale” - PT Usha heaps praise on Paris 2024 bronze medalist rifleman
PT Usha took to social media to congratulate India’s third bronze medalist, Swapnil Kusale, who became the first Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal in the 50m rifle 3p event.
“Thrilled to watch Swapnil Kusale in action today as he shot his way to a Bronze Medal in the 50M 3Position event. Congratulated him on a consistent performance & wished him the best for his future," PT Usha posted on the social media platform X.
Meanwhile, the IOA President also expressed her happiness in pistol ace Manu Bhaker, who became the first Indian shooter to win two medals in a single Olympic Games edition.
“In the last two Olympics, shooting didn't win medals but Manu gave a good start, but we were expecting good from Manu earlier also. We are frequently in contact with Manu's personal coach Jaspal Rana and he was very confident about Manu and knew that Manu is going to do well,” Usha said in the conversation with PTI.
With already three medals in their bag, India will have the chance of clinching further medals as the shooting events will continue till August 4.