The Paris Olympics 2024 was a roller-coaster ride for the Indian contingent, filled with moments of glory and instances of heartbreak. Here, we recount some of the most gut-wrenching moments that left athletes and fans alike in tears.
Manu Baker, who had already secured a bronze in the 10-meter air pistol event, was on the verge of adding another medal to her tally. However, in the women's 25-meter pistol event, she narrowly missed out on a bronze. This close miss was a bitter pill to swallow for both Baker and her supporters who had high hopes for her.
Lakshya Sen's journey in the badminton tournament was another emotional roller-coaster. After a strong start, he reached the bronze medal playoff, only to be defeated by Malaysia's Lee Zee Jeea. Despite leading in the second set, Sen couldn't hold on, resulting in a loss that was a significant blow to millions of Indian fans.
In the 10-meter men's air rifle event, Arjun Babuta came agonizingly close to winning a bronze medal. He lost by a whisker, leaving him and his fans heartbroken. This near-miss was a poignant reminder of the fine margins that often determine success and failure in sports.
The shooting duo of Maheshwari Chauhan and Anandjeet Singh Naruka also experienced heartbreak in the ski mixed team event. They finished fourth, missing out on a medal by just one point. This narrow miss was a tough pill to swallow for the duo and their supporters.
In archery, Dheeraj Bommadewara and Ankita Bakat narrowly missed out on a bronze in the mixed team event. Their close call joined the ranks of other near-misses in Indian Olympic history, such as those experienced by legends P.T. Usha and Milka Singh.
Mirabai Chanu, who was aiming for a second consecutive Olympic medal, finished fourth in weightlifting. She missed the podium by just one kilogram, a heartbreaking outcome for an athlete who had given her all.
Perhaps the most heartbreaking story of the Paris Olympics for India was that of Vinesh Pogat. After defeating the defending Olympic champion, Pogat's dream of winning a gold medal was shattered when she failed to meet the weight requirement for the final. Despite desperate efforts from her team, she was disqualified. The outcome of her appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sports is still pending, but her announcement of retirement following the disqualification sent shockwaves across the nation. Millions of fans have urged her to reconsider.
These moments of heartbreak serve as poignant reminders of the fine margins in sports and the emotional toll it takes on athletes and fans alike. While the Indian contingent had its share of triumphs, these near-misses and disqualifications underscore the unpredictable nature of competitive sports.
For more detailed coverage on India's performance, visit our Overview of India's Performance page. To learn about the key highlights, head over to our Key Highlights page. If you're interested in the profiles of the athletes, check out our Athlete Profiles page. And for a look into the future, visit our Future Prospects page.