Paris Olympics Factbox: India’s Youngest and Oldest Athletes

As the Paris Olympics rage on for the next 15 days, the question on everyone’s mind is whether India will surpass its medal tally from the Tokyo Games. In Tokyo, India secured its best-ever haul of seven medals. Now, with a contingent of 117 participants, expectations are high for a historic performance in Paris.

Second largest contingent

With 117 athletes, 70 men and 47 women, India’s team in Paris is the second-largest Olympic contingent ever. The largest was in Tokyo 2020, with 121 athletes. Had the women’s hockey team qualified, India would have broken its previous record.

Participation in 16 events

Of the 32 disciplines at the Paris Olympics, India will participate in 16 disciplines: archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, equestrian, golf, hockey, judo, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, tennis, wrestling and weightlifting.

Largest contingents in athletics and shooting

India’s largest group of athletes is in athletics, with 29 competitors. The shooting team is the second largest, with 21 shooters, the highest number ever for India in this discipline at the Games.

Freshmen and veterans

Of the 117 Indian athletes, 72 are making their Olympic debut. The most experienced athlete is paddler Sharath Kamal, who is competing in his fifth Olympics. Other veterans include tennis player Rohan Bopanna, badminton player PV Sindhu, paddler Manika Batra and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, who are all competing in their third Olympics.

Youngest and oldest athletes

At 44, Rohan Bopanna is the oldest athlete in the Indian contingent, who is returning to the Games after missing the Tokyo Olympics. The youngest member is 14-year-old swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu, who is competing in the 200m freestyle.

Medal History and Hope

India has won 35 Olympic medals so far, 12 of which have come in team sports. Notably, 37 Indian athletes have won more than one medal in team events, and three—Norman Pritchard, Sushil Kumar and PV Sindhu—have won multiple individual medals. PV Sindhu could become the first Indian to win three individual Olympic medals if she reaches the podium in Paris.

Previous medal winners in Paris

The Indian contingent comprises five former Olympic medallists – Neeraj Chopra (javelin throw), Mirabai Chanu (weightlifting), PV Sindhu (badminton), Lovlina Borgohain (boxing) and the men’s hockey team.

Best hope for a medal

India’s top medal contenders in Paris are:

• Neeraj Chopra in javelin throw
• Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty in men’s doubles badminton
• PV Sindhu in women’s singles badminton
• Indian Women’s Archery Team
• Indian Men’s Archery Team
• Indian Men’s Hockey Team
• Sift Kaur Samra in shooting
• Manu Bhaker during the shooting
• Nikhat Zareen in boxing
• Antim Panghal in wrestling

As the Indian athletes compete over the next two weeks, the country will be eagerly waiting to see if they can surpass their Tokyo performance and take home a record number of medals.

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