India’s Journey in the Olympics

India’s Journey in the Olympics: A Story of Challenges and Hopes

The competition was fierce until the very last moment. In the final round of the men’s 10-meter air rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Abhinav Bindra held his ground. He was neck and neck with his closest competitor, but with a near-perfect final shot, Bindra clinched India’s first-ever individual Olympic gold medal. It was a historic achievement that ignited a spark of hope across India—a moment many believed would mark a new era for the country’s Olympic aspirations.

However, 16 years, four Summer Games, and just one additional gold later, those lofty dreams remain largely unfulfilled.

A Nation of Over a Billion and Olympic Underperformance

India, now recognized as the world’s most populous country with over 1.4 billion people, is a rising power on the global stage. It surpassed the United Kingdom as the fifth-largest economy in 2022 and recently joined an elite group of nations to successfully land a spacecraft on the moon. But when it comes to the Olympics, India’s performance leaves much to be desired.

In the 2024 Paris Olympics, India managed to secure just six medals, falling short of its record haul of seven from the Tokyo 2021 Games. In contrast, the United States, with a population less than a quarter of India’s, topped the medal tally with 126 medals, followed by China with 91.

Ranked 71st in the medal standings, India found itself behind smaller nations such as Georgia, Kazakhstan, and North Korea. Since its Olympic debut in 1900, India has accumulated a mere 41 medals, all at the Summer Games.

The Bright Spots in Paris

Despite the overall disappointing result, there were notable highlights. Neeraj Chopra, India’s javelin sensation, added a silver medal to the gold he won in Tokyo, cementing his status as one of India’s brightest stars. Shooter Manu Bhaker made history by winning two bronze medals, becoming the first Indian woman to achieve such a feat at a single Olympic event.

However, it wasn’t all triumphs. Vinesh Phogat, a high-profile advocate against sexual harassment in sports, became the first Indian woman to qualify for a wrestling final in the women’s 50kg freestyle. Sadly, she was disqualified for failing to meet her weight class requirements, and her subsequent appeal for a silver medal was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The Struggle for Olympic Success: Key Challenges

India’s lack of consistent Olympic success is attributed to multiple factors. Experts highlight underinvestment in sports as a major hurdle. Unlike traditional Olympic powerhouses like the United States, China, and the former Soviet Union, India has not established a comprehensive national training program or dedicated the resources needed to consistently produce world-class athletes.

“For nations like the USA, China, and the (then) Soviet Union, sport was deeply intertwined with their national story—it was a tool for global recognition and national pride,” notes Ronojoy Sen, author of Nation at Play: A History of Sport in India. These countries invested heavily in sports and identified talent from a young age, with China, for example, training children almost as soon as they could walk.

The Complex Reality of Sports in India

Boria Majumdar, sports analyst and author of Dreams of a Billion: India and the Olympic Games, points out that the focus on India’s population-to-medal ratio can be misleading. “When people say 1.4 billion people and only six medals, that’s a completely wrong narrative because 1.39 billion people don’t have access to sports facilities,” he explains.

Additionally, India sends far fewer athletes and support staff to the Olympics compared to top-performing nations. In Paris, India sent 117 competitors, while the United States sent nearly 600 athletes.

Health and Nutrition Challenges

Experts also point to broader health issues that impact the development of India’s athletes from a young age. India ranks 111th out of 125 countries in the 2023 Global Hunger Index and holds the world’s highest rate of child wasting at 18.7%, reflecting severe undernutrition. According to the report, over one-third of children under the age of five in India are stunted due to malnutrition, a factor that significantly affects athletic potential.

“Until we address these basic concerns around nutrition, achieving excellence in sports, where victories are measured in milliseconds, will remain difficult,” Sen says.

The Barriers Faced by Women Athletes

Another challenge is the additional hurdles faced by female athletes in India, which remains a deeply patriarchal society. From a young age, women in sports often face societal pressure and biases. “When I started wrestling, people used to mock me, saying, ‘She’s a girl, what can she do? Why is she getting into a male sport?’” recalls Sakshi Malik, who won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Last year, Malik stepped away from wrestling amid controversy over sexual harassment allegations against the Indian wrestling chief. Malik, Phogat, and other wrestlers protested for weeks in Delhi, demanding accountability and action. “I gave up the sport I love to fight this battle because I have a responsibility to protect younger athletes,” Malik states. “Things have to change.”

The Road Ahead

India’s Olympic journey is a complex narrative of potential, challenges, and resilience. While moments like Abhinav Bindra’s historic victory in Beijing and Neeraj Chopra’s triumph in Tokyo offer hope, there is a pressing need for systemic changes. Addressing issues such as underinvestment, infrastructure gaps, health challenges, and gender inequality is crucial for India to rise as a true Olympic contender.

The world is watching as India continues to strive for glory. With dedicated efforts and long-term planning, the nation has the potential to transform its Olympic story from one of missed opportunities to a saga of triumphs on the global stage.