Who is Gagan Narang? All you need to know about the Indian contingent's Chef de Mission for the Paris Olympics 2024
Gagan Narang is arguably among India's best shooters of the 21st century. Having won the bronze medal for India at the 2012 London Olympic Games, the now-retired shooter was selected as India's chef de mission for the Paris Olympics 2024.
The Chef de mission is the head of the contingent and serves as the representative and spokesperson for the team. Gagan was earlier selected as the deputy Chef de mission behind Mary Kom. However, following the latter's resignation due to health issues, the former Olympic shooter received a promotion.
“I was looking for an Olympic medalist to lead our contingent and my young colleague is an apt replacement for Mary Kom,” said IOA president PT Usha. (via Olympics.com)
Gagan Narang has represented India at four consecutive Olympic Games from 2004 Athens Games to the 2016 Rio Olympics. He won his first and only Olympic medal at the 2012 London Games, securing bronze in the men's 10m air rifle competition. At that time, the 41-year-old was the only third Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal.
In the 2004 Athens Olympics, Gagang had secured a ninth-placed finish in the 10m air rifle event. He only competed in the 50m rifle 3 positions event in the 2008 Beijing Olympics but was placed a lowly 13th.
The 41-year-old competed in both 10m air rifle and 50m rifle 3 positions in 2012, and while he won the bronze in the former, Gagan finished 20th in the latter. He didn't secure the top 10 position in any of the events at the Rio Olympics.
How many medals has Gagan Narang won at the ISSF World Cups?
Gagan Narang has amassed a staggering six medals at the ISSF World Shooting Championships, World Cup, and World Final events. His first major career triumph came at the 2006 ISSF World Cup event in Guangzhou, where he won a gold medal in the men's 10m air rifle competition.
The 41-year-old secured his second major medal at the 2008 ISSF World Cup event, winning bronze in the 10m air rifle competition. He would go on to win a gold medal in the same event at the ISSF World Cup finals.
Gagan won two more medals, both bronze, in the 10m air rifle competition in 2009 and 2010 ISSF events. In the 2009 ISSF World Cup, he won the gold medal in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions as well.