1. Paris Olympics 2024 Concludes: India Finishes 71st with 6 Medals
Tags: Sports News
India secured 6th place at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a total of 71 medals, while the USA topped the medal tally with 126 medals.
An Overview of the News
The Paris Olympics 2024 concluded with a grand closing ceremony at Stade de France.
India's Flag-Bearers
PR Sreejesh and Manu Bhaker are India's flag-bearers for the Parade of Nations.
Sreejesh retires from hockey after securing a bronze medal.
Manu Bhaker becomes the first Indian to win two medals in one Olympic edition.
The Olympic Flame will be extinguished, and the flag will be passed to Los Angeles for the 2028 Games.
India's Performance:
India finished 71st in the overall medal tally.
The country secured a total of 6 medals: 1 silver and 5 bronze.
This is a decline from their 48th-place finish at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where India won 7 medals (1 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze).
Indian Medalists at Paris 2024
Manu Bhaker: Bronze (Women's 10m Air Pistol Shooting)
Manu Bhaker & Sarabjot Singh: Bronze (Mixed Team 10m Air Pistol Shooting)
Swapnil Kusale: Bronze (Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Shooting)
Indian Hockey Team: Bronze (Men's Hockey)
Neeraj Chopra: Silver (Men's Javelin Throw)
Aman Sehrawat: Bronze (Men's 57kg Wrestling)
Overall Medal Tally:
The United States topped the medal count with 126 medals, including 40 gold.
China also won 40 gold medals but finished second with a total of 91 medals.
Japan secured third place with 45 medals, including 20 gold.
Australia finished fourth with 53 medals, including 18 gold.
2028 Summer Olympics:
The next Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles, marking the third time the city has hosted the Games (previously in 1932 and 1984).
Baseball and softball will return to the Olympics, and new sports like flag football, cricket, lacrosse, and squash will be introduced.
2. Abhinav Bindra Awarded Olympic Order by IOC in Paris
Tags: Sports News
Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic Gold medalist, received the prestigious Olympic Order from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
An Overview of the News
The award was presented at the 142nd IOC Session in Paris and is the highest honor given by the IOC for extraordinary contributions to the Olympic Movement.
Historic Achievements
Bindra became the first Indian to win an individual Olympic Gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the men’s 10m air rifle event.
He also holds the distinction of being the first Indian to win a World Championship Gold in Air Rifle Shooting.
Throughout his career, Bindra won over 150 individual medals and was awarded the Blue Cross, the highest honor by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), in 2018.
Post-Retirement Contributions
Bindra chaired the ISSF Athletes Committee for eight years and continues to serve as a member of the IOC Athlete Commission and Education Commission.
His commitment to the sport extends beyond his competitive career, with significant contributions to the development of sports and athletes globally.
Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT)
Bindra founded the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT), a nonprofit organization focused on supporting grassroots athletes in India through advanced sports science technology.
The foundation plays a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of athletes in India.
Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP)
Under Bindra’s leadership, the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) was launched in Odisha in 2022 and Assam in 2023, in partnership with the IOC's Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage (OFCH).
OVEP aims to instill core Olympic values in over 11,000 schools, impacting more than 1 million children, with a goal of reaching 13 million schoolchildren by 2025, positioning India as a leader in values-based education.
International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Non-governmental sports organization
Based in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Governs National Olympic Committees (NOCs).
Oversees the worldwide Olympic Movement.
Formation - 23 June 1894
Founders - Pierre de Coubertin, Demetrios Vikelas
Headquarters - Olympic House, Lausanne, Switzerland
President - Thomas Bach
3. Dinesh Karthik Appointed SA20 League Ambassador
Tags: Person in news Sports News
Dinesh Karthik, an Indian commentator and former wicketkeeper, has been appointed as the league ambassador of South Africa's premier T20 cricket tournament, SA20 League, ahead of the 2025 edition.
An Overview of the News
Karthik becomes the first Indian player to be associated with the SA20 League.
He has signed with Paarl Royals as an overseas player for the 2025 season.
Career and Retirement
Retirement from Cricket: Dinesh Karthik announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in June 2024.
International Career: Karthik represented India in 26 Tests, 94 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 60 T20Is. He was also part of the Indian team that won the 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa.
Connection with Former Teammates
Joining AB de Villiers: Karthik will join his former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Delhi Daredevils teammate AB de Villiers as one of the league's ambassadors.
SA20 League Overview
Tournament Background: The SA20 League, also known as Betway SA20 for sponsorship reasons, is organized by Cricket South Africa (CSA) and was first contested in 2023. The 3rd season is scheduled from 9th January to 8th February 2025.
Franchise Teams: The tournament features six franchises: MI Cape Town, Joburg Super Kings (JSK), Durban SuperGiants (DSG), Paarl Royals, Pretoria Capitals, and Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC). These teams are owned by the same entities that own Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises.
4. Manu Bhaker to Lead India as Flag Bearer at Paris 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony
Tags: Sports News
Manu Bhaker has been chosen as India’s flag bearer for the Paris 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony on August 11.
An Overview of the News
The 23-year-old Manu Bhaker confirmed the news on her social media page and thanked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for the honor.
Performance and Achievements at Paris 2024
Paris 2024 marks Manu Bhaker's second appearance at the Summer Games.
Bhaker won India’s first medal in shooting since London 2012 at Paris 2024.
She became the first Indian woman to win a medal in shooting and the third Indian post-independence to win two Olympic medals, after Sushil Kumar and PV Sindhu.
Bhaker opened India’s medal tally with a bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol and won another bronze alongside Sarabjot Singh in the 10m air pistol mixed event.
She narrowly missed a podium finish in the 25m pistol event, finishing fourth.
Other Indian Athletes and Historical Context
Wrestler Bajrang Punia was India’s flag-bearer for the Closing Ceremony at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
For the Opening Ceremony in Paris, PV Sindhu and Sharath Kamal carried India’s flag during the Parade of Nations on the Seine river.
All three of India’s medals so far at the Paris 2024 Olympics have come from the shooting contingent.
Swapnil Kusale won a bronze medal in the men’s 50m three-position rifle event.
5. Manu Bhaker Wins Bronze at Paris Olympics
Tags: Sports Sports News
Manu Bhaker has won a bronze medal in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol final at the Paris Olympics.
An Overview of the News
Bhaker is the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympicmedal. Bhaker scored 221.7 in the final event.
This bronze medal isIndia’s first medal at the ongoing Paris Olympics.
She showcased exceptional skill and composure against Korean shooters Kim Yeji and Oh Yeh Jin.
In tennis:
Indian table tennis player Sreeja Akula advanced to the next round.
She achieved a resounding victory over Sweden’s Christina Kallberg in the Round of 64 in the women’s singles event on 28 July.
Summer Olympics 2024
The 2024 Summer Olympics are officially known as the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad.
Branded as Paris 2024, the event is scheduled to take place from 24 July to 11 August 2024.
The opening ceremony occurred on 26 July 2024.
Paris is the main host city.
Events will be held in 16 additional cities across Metropolitan France.
There will also be one competition venue in Tahiti, French Polynesia.
6. Nita Ambani Re-elected as International Olympic Committee Member in Paris
Tags: Person in news Sports News
Nita Ambani has been unanimously re-elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from India at the 142nd IOC session in Paris.
An Overview of the News
Nita Ambani was first elected to the IOC in 2016during the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
Pioneering Role: As the first Indian woman to join the IOC, she has significantly contributed to promoting India's Olympic vision.
Contributions and Achievements
Hosting IOC Session: Played a pivotal role in India hosting its first IOC session in Mumbai in over 40 years, highlighting India's global sporting ambitions.
Future Ambitions: India is planning to bid for hosting the 2036 Olympics.
Reliance Foundation and Sports Initiatives
Foundation Leadership: As the founder and chairperson of Reliance Foundation, Nita Ambani focuses on empowering Indians through sports, education, health, art, and culture.
Impact: Reliance Foundation’s sports programs have reached over 22.9 million children and youth in India.
India House at Paris 2024
India House Initiative: Reliance Foundation is opening India House at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Purpose: India House will act as a "home away from home" for athletes, celebrate their achievements, and share India’s Olympic journey with the world.
International Olympic Day
International Olympic Day is celebrated annually on June 23.
The themefor Olympic Day 2024is 'Let's Move and Celebrate'.
This theme aims to inspire people worldwide to engage in daily physical activity and embrace the joy of movement.
International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Non-governmental sports organization
Based in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Governs National Olympic Committees (NOCs).
Oversees the worldwide Olympic Movement.
Formation - 23 June 1894
Founders - Pierre de Coubertin, Demetrios Vikelas
Headquarters - Olympic House, Lausanne, Switzerland
President - Thomas Bach
7. Suryakumar Yadav Named India’s T20I Captain
Tags: Sports Sports News
Suryakumar Yadav will captain the Indian T20 team in the three-match series against Sri Lanka, starting on the 27th of July.
An Overview of the News
ODI Squad: Rohit Sharma will continue as ODI captain, with Virat Kohli also included in the squad for the 50-over series against Sri Lanka next month.
Vice-Captain: Shubman Gill has been named vice-captain for both T20 and ODI formats.
T20I Squad
Batsmen: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson
All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube
Bowlers: Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohd Siraj
ODI Squad
New Faces: Riyan Parag, Harshit Rana
Established Players: Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed
8. Argentina Tops FIFA Rankings as India Holds Steady at 124th Position
Tags: Sports Sports News
India has retained its 124th spot in the latest FIFA rankings.
An Overview of the News
The team did not drop any places, following a previous decline of three spots in June due to a challenging 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
India is ranked 22nd in Asia, behind Syria, Palestine, and Vietnam.
Top 10 Performers
Argentina: Maintained the top spot in the rankings, solidifying their position with an unbeaten run to win the continental title.
France: Remained in the second spot after reaching the semifinals of Euro 2024.
Spain: Moved up five places to third following their victory as European champions.
England: Advanced one place to fourth, surpassing Brazil.
Brazil: Dropped to fifth place.
Belgium: Fell three places to sixth, dropping out of the top five.
Netherlands: Remained in seventh place.
Portugal: Dropped two places to eighth.
Colombia: Climbed three places to ninth despite a narrow loss to Argentina in the Copa America final, marking its return to the top 10.
Italy Maintains Steady Position at 10th
FIFA Men's World Ranking
FIFA Men's World Ranking: Ranks men's national football teams, with Argentina leading as of July 2024; introduced in December 1992.
Top Teams: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain; Brazil has held the top spot longest.
Points System: Teams are awarded points based on results of FIFA-recognized matches.
Current System: Uses Elo rating system (adapted from chess and Go) since 16 August 2018.
Sponsorship: Sponsored by Coca-Cola, hence the name FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.
9. India won 43 medals in the Asian Under-22 and Youth Boxing Championships
Tags: Sports News
The Indian boxing team clinched a remarkable 43 medals at the Asian U-22 and Youth Boxing Championships 2024, held in Astana, Kazakhstan, from April 25 to May 8.
An Overview of the News
Among these medals, there were 12 gold, 14 silver, and 17 bronze, demonstrating India's prowess in both youth and U-22 categories.
India secured the second position in the overall medal tally, trailing behind the host nation, Kazakhstan, which amassed a total of 48 medals.
The U-22 Indian squad contributed significantly, earning a total of 21 medals, comprising seven gold, five silver, and nine bronze.
Additionally, the youth category added to India's medal haul with 22 medals, including five gold, nine silver, and eight bronze.
The championship was organized by the Asian Boxing Federation, showcasing the rising talent and competitive spirit within the Asian boxing community.
Tournament Highlights:
Men's Category
Youth Category:
Brijesh secures India's first gold medal in the 48kg category by defeating Tajikistan's Muminov Muinkhodzha in the final.
Aryan continues India's success by winning gold in the 51kg category, defeating Kyrgyzstan's Kamilov Zafarbek.
U-22 Category:
Vishvanath Suresh claims India's first gold in the U-22 category (48kg) by defeating Kazakhstan's Karap Yernar.
Akash Gorkha secures India's third gold in the U-22 category (60kg) by defeating Kazakhstan's Ruslan Kuzeubayev.
Women's Category:
U-22 Category:
Olympic boxer Preeti clinches gold in the 54kg category by defeating Kazakhstan's Bazarova Elina.
Muskan secures gold in the 75kg category by defeating Uzbekistan's Zokirova Aziza, contributing to India's seventh U-22 gold medal.
10. Bindyarani Devi wins bronze medal at IWF World Cup 2024
Tags: Sports News
Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 silver medalist Bindyarani Devi won bronze at the IWF World Cup 2024.
An Overview of the News
The IWF World Cup 2024 took place in Phuket, Thailand from March 31 to April 11, 2024.
Both male and female weightlifters participated in the World Cup.
Exclusive Indian Representation:
Bindyarani Devi and Mirabai Chanu were the only two Indian weightlifters to compete at the IWF World Cup 2024.
Bindyarani Devi's bronze medal performance:
Category and Lift: Bindyarani Devi, 25, competed in the women's 55 kg category and achieved a lift of 196 kg.
Lift Breakdown: Her lifts included 83 kg in the snatch and 113 kg in the clean and jerk.
Comparison with previous achievements: While his lifts at the World Cup fell short of his performance at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022, where he lifted 203 kg to clinch the silver medal.
Mirabai Chanu's qualification for Paris Olympics 2024:
Finished 12th in the 49kg category at the IWF World Cup 2024.
Despite not winning a medal in the World Cup, she qualified for the Paris Olympics.
The only Indian weightlifter to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
Currently ranked second in the Olympic qualification rankings for the 49 kg category.
Paris Olympics 2024 Qualification Details:
The IWF World Cup in Phuket served as the final qualifying event for weightlifting at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The top 10 ranked lifters in the Olympic qualification rankings for each weight category earn quota spots.
Bindyarani Devi is currently ranked 29th in the Olympic qualification rankings for the women's 59 kg category.
Background of Mirabai Chanu:
Silver medalist in 49 kg category at Tokyo Olympics 2020.
Gold medalist at the 2017 World Weightlifting Championships in Anaheim, USA.
Three-time gold medalist at the Commonwealth Games (2014, 2018 and 2022).
Considered one of the great players of Indian weightlifting.
IWF World Cup 2024 Overview:
Organized by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).
Held in Phuket, Thailand from March 31 to April 11, 2024.
Both male and female weightlifters from different countries were showcased.
North Korea's Kang Hyeon Gyeong won the gold medal in the women's 55 kg category.
Mihaela Cambei of Romania won the silver medal in the same category.
International Weightlifting Federation (IWF):
Established in 1905
The governing body for men's and women's weightlifting worldwide.
Recognized by the International Olympic Association.
It includes 193 member countries.
The headquarters is located in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Chairman: Mohammed Hassan Jaloud.
