The lights have dimmed, the cheers have faded, and the Olympic village is now empty. Paris, which was once buzzing with excitement and energy, has returned to its usual rhythm. The 2024 Olympic Games, a thrilling 19-day journey, has come to an end, leaving behind a trail of unforgettable moments. Paris brought out the best of the Games, with record viewership, viral moments, and a powerful display of unity in a world often divided by conflicts. But as the dust settles, it’s time to reflect not just on the Games but on India’s performance at the Games.
India’s Medal Tally: A Reality Check
India finished the Olympics with five bronze medals and one silver, placing the nation 71st out of 84 participating countries. This is a sobering position, especially for the world’s most populous country and the fifth-largest economy. To put this in perspective, the United States topped the medal tally with 126 medals, followed by China with 91, and France with 64. Shockingly, India lagged behind not just these global giants but also countries like Pakistan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and even the tiny Caribbean island of St. Lucia, which has a population of just 180,000.
This stark reality raises a crucial question: Why does India, with its vast resources and immense talent pool, continue to underperform at the Olympics? Let’s delve into the numbers. Over the last five Olympics, India has managed to win only 41 medals across 38 editions of the Games. In the last 30 years, we’ve secured just two gold medals—one in 2008 and another in 2021. While winning any Olympic medal is a monumental achievement, the fact that India, a nation of 1.4 billion people, brought home only six medals in 2024 highlights a glaring gap in our sports ecosystem.
The Paris Campaign: Highs and Lows
There were some bright spots in India’s Paris 2024 campaign. Neeraj Chopra was undoubtedly the standout performer, clinching a silver medal in javelin throw. India also won three bronze medals in shooting, one in hockey, and one in wrestling. However, for the majority of the 117 athletes India sent to Paris, the results were disappointing. Sports like archery, table tennis, and boxing failed to meet expectations, while the badminton team, which had consistently won medals since 2008, left the Games empty-handed. Additionally, India had six fourth-place finishes, meaning we narrowly missed out on medals in six events. While this indicates that not all is lost, it certainly calls for serious introspection.
Why Does India Underperform?
The challenges facing Indian athletes are multifaceted. An Olympic athlete requires long-term investment, including funding, sponsorships, world-class facilities, and top-tier coaching. For the Paris Olympics, India spent ₹470 crore, a significant increase from previous years. But when compared to other nations, this amount falls woefully short. The U.S. Olympic Committee, for example, spends about $50 million annually, while China’s sports budget this year was over $1 billion. Moreover, the timing of this investment is critical. In India, athletes often receive these resources just ahead of the Games, which is far from ideal. For consistent success, investment needs to be continuous and long-term.
Another issue is the narrow focus on a small group of athletes rather than nurturing a broad base of talent. The U.S., for instance, identifies top talent through college sports, managed by the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA). This nonprofit organization not only trains some of the best American athletes but also athletes from around the world. Countries like China also focus on sports that may not be widely popular but offer better medal prospects, such as women’s BMX freestyle, sport climbing, and breaking.
The Path Forward: What Needs to Change
So, what can India do to improve its Olympic performance? Here are a few key steps:
- Invest in Grassroots Sports: India needs to develop a robust system for identifying and nurturing talent from a young age. This means investing in sports at the grassroots level and providing consistent support to athletes throughout their careers.
- Focus on Lesser-Known Sports: Like China, India should consider focusing on sports where the competition may not be as intense. This could increase our chances of winning medals.
- Send a Larger Contingent: In Paris, the U.S. sent more than 600 athletes, and Japan sent 400. India, on the other hand, sent only 117. With a population of 1.4 billion, surely we can field a larger and more diverse team.
- Develop a Sporting Culture: In India, cricket dominates the sports landscape. While cricket is a source of national pride, it’s essential to develop a culture that values and invests in other sports as well. This shift in mindset will encourage more participation in a variety of sports and lead to better performance on the international stage.
A National Commitment to Winning
Finally, it’s time to reassess our mentality when it comes to the Olympics. Are we participating just to be part of the Games, or are we truly aiming to win? The Olympics is not just about participation; it’s about excellence and pushing the limits of human potential. For India to improve its Olympic performance, we need a national commitment to sports that goes beyond fleeting enthusiasm every four years. Consistent investment, a larger talent pool, and a genuine sporting culture are the keys to breaking the cycle of underperformance. Until we can find that commitment, India may continue to struggle with single-digit medal tallies and stories of heartbreak and missed opportunities.
