The 2024 Paris Olympics proved to be a challenging yet historic event for India's athletes. With 117 athletes representing the nation, expectations were sky-high. However, India's final medal tally, consisting of six medals, sparked mixed reactions. While some viewed it as a disappointment, it's worth noting that this was India's third-best performance ever at the Games. With six agonizing fourth-place finishes, the fine margins that determine success and failure at such an elite level became all too apparent.

As discussions continue about India's performance, it’s useful to assess the various contingents and their achievements—or lack thereof—by assigning letter grades to their efforts. This report card offers a comprehensive review of how India’s athletes fared in Paris:

Athletics: A Roller-Coaster Ride

India’s largest athletics contingent entered Paris with modest expectations, but even these weren't met by most. Many athletes failed to achieve their personal bests, leaving much to be desired. However, a few stars shone brightly amid the gloom. Neeraj Chopra, the golden boy of Indian athletics, secured a silver medal, marking India’s second-best athletics result in Olympic history. Although some were disappointed it wasn't gold, his performance was exemplary, only overshadowed by a once-in-a-lifetime throw by Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem.

Other athletes like Parul Chaudhary, Avinash Sable, and the men's 4x400m relay team came close to making headlines, showing that the potential is there, even if the overall performance was subpar.

Archery: Disappointment with a Silver Lining

Indian archery, often a bright spot in international competitions, failed to deliver when it mattered most. DeepikaKumari's Olympic woes continued, and veterans like Tarundeep Rai and Pravin Jadhav couldn't meet expectations. However, DhirajBommadevara and AnkitaBhakat showed promise, with the former narrowly missing out on a medal, making it to the semifinals—the first in Indian archery history. Despite the disappointment, there were positives to take forward, but questions will undoubtedly be asked about the federation’s role in these underwhelming performances.

Badminton: A Shock to the System

Indian badminton has been a source of pride in recent years, with medals at the Olympics becoming almost expected. But Paris 2024 was a harsh reality check. For the first time since 2008, India’s badminton contingent returned home without a single medal. SatwiksairajRankireddy and Chirag Shetty, favorites for a podium finish, were left empty-handed, and PV Sindhu, usually a reliable performer on the big stage, faltered. Lakshya Sen showed resilience, battling through tough matches to reach the bronze medal round, but his inability to capitalize on advantageous positions marred his campaign. The overall performance leaves much to be desired.

Boxing: Falling Short

Boxing, another sport where India had high hopes, failed to deliver. Reigning world champions NikhatZareen and LovlinaBorgohain were tipped for medals but came away with nothing. While some blame the tough draws, this is the Olympics, where the competition is fierce at every stage. The federation's questionable selection policies and poor seeding also played a role in India’s underperformance. With boxing’s future at the LA 2028 Olympics uncertain, it may be a long wait before India can rectify these shortcomings.

Equestrian: A Solo Battle

AnushAgarwalla’s participation in the Olympics was a milestone in itself for Indian equestrian sports. Though he finished 52nd, his qualification for Paris was an achievement that exceeded expectations. The experience gained here will be invaluable as he continues to compete on the global stage.

Golf: From Highs to Lows

Indian golfers had a tough time in Paris, with Shubhankar Sharma and Gaganjeet Bhullar finishing tied-40th and tied-45th, respectively. Aditi Ashok, who came agonizingly close to a medal in Tokyo, could only manage a tied-29th finish. Round 3 was particularly disappointing for her, as it dashed any hopes of a top 10 finish or a medal. DikshaDagar also struggled, finishing tied-49th. Despite the talent in this quartet, the Olympic pressure proved too much, and the results were a letdown.

Hockey: A Bronzeful Triumph

In contrast to some of the other sports, Indian hockey was a beacon of hope. The men's team, led by Harmanpreet Singh and PR Sreejesh, overcame a shaky start to clinch a well-deserved bronze medal, marking India's first back-to-back Olympic medals in 52 years. This performance wasn’t just about luck—it was the result of hard work and a deep understanding of coach Craig Fulton's philosophy. This success is a fitting farewell to Sreejesh, one of Indian hockey's greatest legends.

Judo: A Brief Encounter

TulikaMaan’s Olympic journey was short-lived, lasting just 28 seconds against a former Olympic champion. However, her qualification for the Olympics was a pleasant surprise, making it difficult to judge her performance too harshly.

Rowing: A Valient Effort

BalrajPanwar’s 23rd place finish was not the semifinal appearance he aimed for, but it was still an impressive achievement for someone relatively new to the sport. His performance was commendable, even if it fell short of historic.

Sailing: Sailing into Mediocrity

Vishnu Saravanan and NethraKumanan had a disappointing outing in Paris, finishing 18th and 21st, respectively. Both athletes were expected to perform better, especially given their experience from the Tokyo Olympics. The results were a slight letdown, though not entirely surprising.

Shooting: Breaking the Drought

India's shooters were the standout performers at these Games, breaking a 12-year Olympic medal drought. Manu Bhaker led the charge, winning two bronze medals and setting new records along the way. Sarabjot Singh and Swapnil Kusale also secured medals, underlining the depth of talent in Indian shooting. While there were some close misses, the overall performance was outstanding and justified the investment and focus on the sport.

Swimming: Making Waves

Swimming is not traditionally a strong suit for India, but the performance in Paris showed promise. The standout was 14-year-old DhinidhiDesinghu, who finished 23rd, outpacing several more experienced competitors. Srihari Nataraj’s 33rd place finish was a bit of a disappointment, but the overall showing suggests that with more investment, India could be a force in swimming in the future.

Table Tennis: A Tale of Two Halves

India's table tennis contingent had mixed fortunes. The men’s team, led by Sharath Kamal, failed to make an impact, with Sharath's valiant effort against Fan Zhendong being the only highlight. In contrast, the women's team, particularly ManikaBatra and SreejaAkula, made history by reaching the quarterfinals, a first for Indian women in the sport. The women's team performance offers hope for future Olympic success.

Tennis: Playing to Expectations

SumitNagal’s first-round exit was expected given the competition, and Rohan Bopanna’s early exit in doubles was disappointing, especially given his record-breaking form this year. However, with low expectations, the results were in line with what was anticipated.

Weightlifting: Missing the Mark (Grade: C+)

MirabaiChanu, India's best hope in weightlifting, narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing just 1kg short of bronze. Her performance was hampered by injury, and while her best lift would have secured gold, it wasn't to be. The federation’s failure to nurture other potential medalists from the Commonwealth Games is a cause for concern and needs to be addressed before the next Olympics.

Wrestling: A Mixed Bag

Wrestling provided one of India’s standout performances in Paris. VineshPhogat’s victory over the unbeaten YuiSusaki was a highlight of the Games, and while she was unable to compete in the final due to injury, her performance was nothing short of S-tier. AmanSehrawat also impressed, securing a bronze medal, but the rest of the wrestling contingent fell short of expectations. The potential is there, but the wrestling federation’s issues need to be resolved to fully realize it.

 The 2024 Paris Olympics was a mixed bag for India. While some sports exceeded expectations, others fell short, highlighting the need for introspection and improvement. With the right focus and investment, India can build on this performance and aim for greater success in future Games.