The countdown is on! India’s shooting squad, the largest ever to compete at the Olympics, is set to take on the world’s best at the Paris 2024 Games. A total of 21 Indian shooters will be vying for Olympic glory against 321 competitors from across the globe. This ambitious team, announced well ahead of the July 8, 2024, Paris 2024 entry deadline, represents a surge in India’s sporting aspirations. The shooters have been meticulously preparing for this moment, undergoing acclimatization and rigorous training at Volmerange-Les-Mines, followed by a two-week break before the final showdown.
India’s presence at the Olympics has never been stronger in the shooting arena. In Tokyo 2020, India fielded 15 shooters, a record at the time. This time, with 81 participating nations and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Refugee Team, India will be sending the most shooters to Paris, matching China’s contingent. The Republic of Korea follows closely with 16 shooters. The squad boasts a mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers. Stars like pistol shooter Manu Bhaker and rifle aces Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Anjum Moudgil, and Elavenil Valarivan return to the Olympic stage, bringing with them the experience of Tokyo.
While veterans will leverage their past experience, debutants will enter the Games free from the weight of previous performances. The Indian shooting contingent has endured a turbulent journey since Tokyo, marked by both triumphs and setbacks. Several rule changes and coaching overhauls have reshaped the landscape, with prominent names like Saurabh Chaudhary, Abhishek Verma, Apurvi Chandela, and Rahi Sarnobat facing challenges and stepping back from the limelight. This transition has paved the way for new talents like Sift Kaur Samra and Sarabjot Singh, while veterans like Bhaker have demonstrated remarkable resilience after facing intense media scrutiny.
A significant factor in favor of the Indian team is the absence of Russia from the competition. Due to the strict qualification restrictions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine, no Russian shooters have secured a spot in Paris, despite 15 individual neutral athletes with Russian passports qualifying for the Summer Games. This presents a unique opportunity for the Indian contingent to capitalize on the absence of strong Russian competitors. With a blend of experience and fresh talent, India’s shooting squad stands ready to unleash their potential and etch their mark on the world stage at Paris 2024. The journey to Olympic glory is fraught with challenges, but the Indian contingent is determined to leave a lasting impression on the world of shooting.