The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris will long be remembered as a watershed moment for Indian sports, as the nation’s athletes secured their most successful performance ever on the global stage.

Led by a new generation of talent, the Indian contingent won a total of 45 medals at the Games, including 12 gold, 15 silver, and 18 bronze – a significant improvement on the country’s previous best of 26 medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

What made India’s Olympic triumph all the more remarkable was the diversity of sports in which the medals were won. While traditional powerhouses like wrestling, shooting, and badminton continued to yield strong results, Indian athletes also made history in disciplines that had previously been untapped, such as skateboarding, surfing, and track cycling.

“This is a momentous occasion for Indian sports, one that will inspire countless young people across the country to take up athletics and pursue their dreams of Olympic glory,” said Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. “Our athletes have shown that with the right support and opportunities, India can compete with the best in the world in any sport.”

Among the gold medal highlights for India was the performance of the men’s hockey team, who ended a 41-year wait for an Olympic title by defeating the Netherlands in a thrilling final. The country also celebrated first-ever golds in skateboarding, via teenage prodigy Rajveer Singh, and surfing, courtesy of the talented duo of Tanvi Jagadish and Aditya Ashok.

India’s women also made a significant impact, with weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and shuttler PV Sindhu both defending their titles from previous Olympics. Sprinter Hima Das capped a remarkable career by winning gold in the 200m, while the women’s 4x400m relay team also topped the podium.

“These results are a testament to the hard work, dedication, and immense talent of our athletes,” said Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha. “But they are also a reflection of the growing investment and emphasis that the government and sports federations have placed on developing a robust sporting ecosystem in the country.”

Indeed, the vast improvements in India’s Olympic performance can be attributed to a multi-pronged strategy that has prioritized grassroots participation, high-performance training, and cutting-edge sports science and technology.

“This is just the beginning,” added Thakur. “With the kind of young talent we have emerging across so many sports, I have no doubt that India will continue to be a force to be reckoned with on the Olympic stage for many years to come.”

As the tricolor was raised and the national anthem played time and again in Paris, a sense of pride and optimism swept across India. These Games have not only cemented the country’s status as an emerging sports superpower, but have also inspired a new generation to chase their Olympic dreams.