“We will surpass our record from the Tokyo Olympics” - India’s Chef-de-Mission Gagan Narang predicts a record medal tally at the Paris Olympics 2024
India’s Chef-de-Mission Gagan Narang has high hopes for the Indian contingent competing at the Paris Olympics 2024. The Indian contingent includes 117 athletes across 16 sports for the Summer Olympics in Paris which is just two short of India’s squad for Tokyo 2020.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics was India’s best-ever performance at the Games which saw the athletes bring home seven medals, with Neeraj Chopra’s gold in javelin throw being the highlight.
Gagan Narang, a four-time Olympian and a bronze medalist in shooting at the 2012 London Olympics, knows about the extreme pressure that athletes go through while competing on the world’s biggest stage. He further expressed his confidence in the Indian athletes and believes that they will surpass the medal tally of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“Having competed at the Olympics in the past, I am aware of the pressure that an athlete faces on such a big platform. I hope all athletes are able to also enjoy their time in Paris as competing at the Olympics is the biggest honor for a sportsperson, and it is important to create memories. I wish them the best for the upcoming Games, and I am confident we will surpass our record from the Tokyo Olympics,” said Narang.
Indian athletes are “on par” with the best in the world, says Gagan Narang
The Indian contingent breached the 100-medal mark at the Asian Games 2023 by securing a total of 107 medals (28 gold, 38 silver, and 41 bronze). Gagan Narang is proud to see the rise in the number of medal contenders at the Paris Olympics and feels Indian athletes are “on par” to compete against the world’s best.
"It is a matter of great pride for me to see the growing number of medal contenders in the Indian contingent. Each and every athlete in our contingent is capable of not only being on par against the best athletes of the world but can also surpass them and bring laurels to the nation. Having a strong contingent puts India on the hot seat as we gear up for Paris," he added.