New Delhi: India will be represented by 117 athletes at the upcoming Paris Olympics after the sports ministry cleared the final contingent that also features 140 support staff and officials, of which 72 "have been approved at cost to the Government" to meet the "requirements" of the traveling sportspersons.
The only qualified athlete missing from the list is shot putter Abha Khatua. Khatua, who qualified through world rankings quota, has been dropped without any explanation after her name was bound missing from the World Athletics' list of Olympic participants a few days ago.
"The permissible limit for stay of support personnel in the Games Village against accreditation as per norms of the Paris Organising Committee for the 2024 Olympic Games is 67 including 11 1OA Contingent Officials, which includes five Medical Team Members," stated a letter from the ministry to the Indian Olympic Association President P T Usha.
"For catering to the requirements of the athletes, additional coaches and other support staff numbering 72 have been approved at cost to the Government and arrangements for their stay have been made in Hotels/in locations outside the Games Village," it added.
Athletics will nonetheless make for the biggest group in the contingent with 29 names (11 women and 18 men), followed by shooting (21) and hockey (19).
Table tennis will be represented by eight players, while badminton (7) will feature seven competitors, including two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu. Wrestling (6), archery (6), and boxing (6) will have six representatives each, followed by golf (4), tennis (3), swimming (2), sailing (2), and one each for equestrian, judo, rowing and weightlifting.
In the Tokyo Olympics, India were represented by a 119-member contingent, and the country returned with its best-ever haul of seven medals, including the historic javelin throw gold by Neeraj Chopra.
In a bid to avoid doping embarrassment in Paris, the government has asked the IOA and concerned federations to take appropriate measures.
"The IOA, SAI, National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and concerned National Sports Federations may take appropriate measures for conducting the dope tests. IOA may also ensure fitness of the team/individual sportsperson prior to their departure," it said.
Besides, the Paris Organising Committee will provide three cars for the Indian contingent without drivers. "Embassy of India at Paris has been requested to assist in identification and temporary employment for these drivers," the ministry letter stated.
Read More
