Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist, finds himself grappling with mixed emotions following India’s performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite the country matching its London 2012 tally and securing its joint second-best medal haul, Bindra is troubled by the fact that India did not clinch a single gold medal at the Games.
India sent a robust 117-member contingent to Paris, buoyed by the success of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where the nation achieved a record seven medals. There was hope that the 2024 Games would surpass this tally, potentially reaching double digits. However, India’s final medal count stood at six—five bronze and one silver—a result that has been described as a ‘mixed bag’ by Bindra.
Bindra, who is also part of the International Olympic Committee’s Athletes Commission, reflects on the challenges faced by athletes on the Olympic stage. He acknowledges the immense pressure and expectations that come with competing at such a high level. “The Olympics is a very, very hard platform to perform at for a variety of reasons,” Bindra told Indian Express. “But the Olympics is also a platform which is imperfect for performance. Because there’s external expectations, and you also have internal expectations, that just doesn’t allow you to let go.”
Bindra’s remarks underscore the complexity of Olympic competition, where skill alone is not always enough. He suggests that performance can often be an “artistic” endeavor, requiring athletes to achieve perfection under imperfect conditions. For many, this means that their skill and preparation might not always translate into success on the day of the competition.
India’s Olympic campaign started on a promising note with shooter Manu Bhaker earning two bronze medals in the 10m air pistol event, both individually and in the mixed-team category with Sarabjot Singh. Swapnil Kusale added a third bronze in the men’s 50m rifle 3 position. However, the momentum faltered as the Games progressed, with significant disappointments in badminton, boxing, and archery. PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and the highly anticipated men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty all returned without medals, deflating expectations.
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India’s final medal tally included three medals won in the last two days of the Games. Neeraj Chopra secured a silver in athletics, while the men’s hockey team and wrestler Aman Sehrawat each won bronze in their events. The disappointment was further compounded by Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification, which deprived India of a potential gold medal. There remains a slim chance for Vinesh to win a silver, pending a verdict from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CSA).
Bindra emphasizes the need for continued investment in Olympic sports despite the gold medal drought. “I don’t have an answer, really. If I knew, I would put it out so that we can win more gold medals,” Bindra said. He expressed concerns about the high stakes placed on Olympic success and the impact of these pressures on athletes. Bindra highlighted the importance of sustaining investments in Olympic sports and athletes, despite not meeting gold medal expectations.
“The athletes have done well,” Bindra noted, recognizing the overall improvement in India’s performance. “We may not have won all the medals but overall, generally, you would agree there has been an improvement overall. We must consolidate the gains that have been made and work harder to get there.”
Bindra’s reflections capture the emotional roller-coaster of Olympic competition and the ongoing quest for excellence. While India’s medal tally in Paris did not include gold, Bindra’s call for continued support and investment in Olympic sports aims to build on past achievements and drive future success.
