Indian Armed Forces to send 24 athletes to Paris Olympics: Know the stars

In a remarkable display of talent and dedication, 24 Armed Forces personnel are among the 117 Indian athletes set to represent the nation at the 2024 Paris Olympics, beginning on July 26, 2024. Among these 24 service athletes, 22 are men, including the star Javelin Thrower Subedar Neeraj Chopra, and two are women, marking the historic first participation of female service athletes at the Olympics.

Subedar Neeraj Chopra, who secured a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is once again poised to vie for top honors at the Paris Olympics. His entry into the 2024 Games follows an impressive string of victories, including gold medals at the 2023 Asian Games, the 2023 World Athletics Championship, the 2024 Diamond League, and the 2024 Paavo Nurmi Games.

The 2024 Paris Olympics will witness the maiden participation of female service athletes from India. Havildar Jaismine Lamboria, a 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, and Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Reetika Hooda, a 2023 Asian Wrestling Championships bronze medalist, are set to make history. Jaismine Lamboria will compete in boxing, while Reetika Hooda will aim for a podium finish in wrestling.

The Indian contingent includes a diverse array of talent across various sports. Some notable mentions are:

– Subedar Amit Panghal in boxing

– CPO Tajinderpal Singh Toor in shot-put

– Subedar Avinash Mukund Sable in the 3000m steeplechase

– JWO Abdulla Aboobacker in triple jump

– Subedar Tarundeep Rai and Subedar Dhiraj Bommadevara in archery

– Nb Sub Sandeep Singh in shooting

Additionally, a strong relay team comprising CPO Muhammed Anas Yahiya, PO(GW) Muhammed Ajmal, Subedar Santhosh Kumar Tamilarasan, and JWO Mijo Chacko Kurian will compete in the 4x400m men’s relay.

The participation of service personnel at the Paris Olympics highlights the Indian Armed Forces’ commitment to fostering sports excellence. The selection of these athletes reflects the robust support and training provided by the military, aiming to enhance sports consciousness across the nation. This commitment is further underscored by the inclusion of five officials from the Armed Forces, who will contribute as coaches, referees, and technical officials.

The participation of service athletes in the Olympics not only showcases their individual talents but also the rigorous training and support systems provided by the Armed Forces. This integration of athleticism and military discipline fosters a culture of excellence and resilience, essential traits for international sports competitions.