Paris Olympics 2024 Discussion Thread

[Gollum]

Rio 2016 was a scarring experience personally, till last 3-4 days there were legit chances of returning home emptyhanded. Many close misses before that.

 

One can never be confident about our chances in Olympics because margin of error is so small and clutchness plays such a big role, historically we aren't the strongest mentally. I can make arguments for us winning 15 medals, but can likewise do one for Rio repeat or worse.

 

Truth is we are not at the level of mid-tier countries like Kenya, Cuba, Iran, Turkey (never mind the powerhouses!!!!!) who will be at least assured of around 10 medals even if they underperform. May get there in a decade's time, right now our ceiling is promising but floor is too low. 

 

Shooters have to step up, whenever we have gotten a medal in first 2-3 days we have done well, contingent becomes more optimistic instead of doom and gloom scenarios playing out. In Tokyo, shooters disappointed but Mirabai Chanu got us off the mark on day 2 itself. 

[Gollum]

Wrestling is a major worry this time. Our most consistent sport, medalled in 2008, 12, 16, 21....couple of times we won 2 medals in same Games. Streak may end but a positive is many world class Russian wrestlers giving this Olympics a miss. 

[Gollum]

US wrestling gonna gain big this time at the expense of Russia. Can India sneak in at least a medal? Fingers crossed. 

[bharathh]

1 minute ago, Gollum said:

Wrestling is a major worry this time. Our most consistent sport, medalled in 2008, 12, 16, 21....couple of times we won 2 medals in same Games. Streak may end but a positive is many world class Russian wrestlers giving this Olympics a miss. 

Russians or no russians. Our wrestlers have been dire in the world wrestling tourneys in the last 2 years. Antim Panghal was the only one to reach the semi-finals (repechange) I think. Our men have been very poor at world standard - showed in the Asian games

[Tillu]

Most of these medals when the doping rules were not strictly enforced. All western countries and Soviet countries under the sun used to dope their way to a lot of medals. Methamphetamine, benzadrine, Anabolic steroids, blood doping and all sorts of performance enhancing drugs.

 

 

 

[Number]

Political protests organised by Hoodas messed up Wrestling badly.

In Tokyo Dahiya won silver, injured Bajrang got us bronze and Punia was just 5 seconds away from a medal.

We could have built so much on this. 

[Vickydev]

I see Aditi Ashok has qualified again, she gave us one of the more exciting days last time out. Can she surprise this time too? 

[neel roy]

1 hour ago, Vickydev said:

I see Aditi Ashok has qualified again, she gave us one of the more exciting days last time out. Can she surprise this time too? 

I doubt it this time. She is not even in top 50 in world rankings. Her current rank is 60. She was odds on to win a medal till last day. She couldnt hold her nerves and she hit few bogies and game over. 

[Vickydev]

27 minutes ago, neel roy said:

I doubt it this time. She is not even in top 50 in world rankings. Her current rank is 60. She was odds on to win a medal till last day. She couldnt hold her nerves and she hit few bogies and game over. 

Tbf her ranking was outside the top 150 last time round iirc. Her results don't look too bad going into this one, maybe she could spring a surprise again

[Gollum]

Aditi punched above her weight in Rio Olympics as well. Historic 4th place in Tokyo. Silver medal in Hangzhou 2023.....3 Asians in top 5 LPGA, many more above Aditi. Law of averages will kick in at some point, hence no expectation this time. 

[Gollum]

Good news for Chanu. No North Korean to compete in her category because they didn't appear for WADA doping tests. 2 major competitors (favorites) eliminated, reckon she is 4th or 5th best now. And her coach is confident of 205 kg, no chance of gold/silver with that, just get a bronze, somehow. 

Edited July 19, 2024 by Gollum

[Gollum]

In Tokyo, weightlifting events happened in initial days. 

 

In Paris, last 5 days. Chanu set to compete on Aug 7th.

 

Bulk of Indian participation (medal events) in initial days will be archery and shooting. 

 

Last week will be action packed, hockey KOs (fingers crossed), boxing, wrestling, weightlifting, athletics, golf. 

[Gollum]

49 gold medals in aquatic events

 

16 in canoeing

 

22 in cycling

 

12 in fencing

 

18 in gymnastics

 

14 in rowing

 

15 in judo

 

10 in sailing

 

Another 10 in climbing, skateboarding, surfing

 

8 in taekwondo

 

So many medals we are leaving on the table. We are probably 50 years away from competing in most of these events. Developed nations have such an advantage. 

Edited July 19, 2024 by Gollum

[Gollum]

Cricket in 2028 Olympics must be a big priority for BCCI, at par with WCs. Getting a gold can push us up the table by 20 spots, we need that gold more than Aus, Eng, NZ etc. Women medaling will be even better. And get kabaddi into the games, Nita Ambaniji as IOC member must do something about having more events where we can win. 

 

 

Edited July 19, 2024 by Gollum

[neel roy]

46 minutes ago, Gollum said:

49 gold medals in aquatic events

 

16 in canoeing

 

22 in cycling

 

12 in fencing

 

18 in gymnastics

 

14 in rowing

 

15 in judo

 

10 in sailing

 

Another 10 in climbing, skateboarding, surfing

 

8 in taekwondo

 

So many medals we are leaving on the table. We are probably 50 years away from competing in most of these events. Developed nations have such an advantage. 

I m fine with all. But why 23 in judo and taekwondo. Thats a bit overkill. Also 22 in cycling. 

[neel roy]

44 minutes ago, Gollum said:

Cricket in 2028 Olympics must be a big priority for BCCI, at par with WCs. Getting a gold can push us up the table by 20 spots, we need that gold more than Aus, Eng, NZ etc. Women medaling will be even better. And get kabaddi into the games, Nita Ambaniji as IOC member must do something about having more events where we can win. 

 

 

No west indies as they ll have different islands like jamaica trinidad n tobago. So basically one of the big threats out. Leavee us with aus eng and saf. Issue is it ll be in LA. Na jane kaunsa ghatiya pitch dekhne ko milega. Drop in and all. 

[Gollum]

1 minute ago, neel roy said:

I m fine with all. But why 23 in judo and taekwondo. Thats a bit overkill. Also 22 in cycling. 

Japan, China, South Korea, France must have lobbied for it.....yes France as well which is a powerhouse in judo. NCAA GOAT Spencer Lee's mom used to represent France judo team....and Spencer is gonna win 57 kg gold in freestyle wrestling, saw a family documentary about him and saw how big judo is in France. Random 2 am musings, so pardon me. 

[neel roy]

In terms of Chanu i m now a bit sceptical reading this. 190 wont cit it

 

In Paris, the stage is set for Saikom Mirabai Chanu to confront formidable competitors in the competitive 49 kg weight class. Among her challengers are reigning Olympic champion Hou Zhihui of China, whose personal best stands at an impressive 217kg, setting her as by far favourite for defending the title.

Mirabai Chanu, the silver medallist from the previous Games, boasts a personal best of 205 kgs, placing her second in the current rankings among her peers. A performance above 200 kgs in the upcoming Olympics could secure her a second medal, making her the first Indian weightlifter to achieve this milestone.

Thailand's Surodchana Khambao and Jourdan Elizabeth Delacruz of the USA, both with personal bests of 200 kg, present formidable competition for the podium. Mihaela-Valentina Cambei of Romania, with a personal best of 199 kg, and Japan's Rira Suzuki, with a best of 197 kg, complete the lineup of challengers.

Edited July 19, 2024 by neel roy

[Gollum]

2 minutes ago, neel roy said:

No west indies as they ll have different islands like jamaica trinidad n tobago. So basically one of the big threats out. Leavee us with aus eng and saf. Issue is it ll be in LA. Na jane kaunsa ghatiya pitch dekhne ko milega. Drop in and all. 

Haan but at least a 20-30% chance of gold, 75% chance of any medal. Which is more than almost all other sports. 

[Gollum]

2 minutes ago, neel roy said:

In terms of Chanu i m now a bit sceptical reading this

 

In Paris, the stage is set for Saikom Mirabai Chanu to confront formidable competitors in the competitive 49 kg weight class. Among her challengers are reigning Olympic champion Hou Zhihui of China, whose personal best stands at an impressive 217kg, setting her as by far favourite for defending the title.

Mirabai Chanu, the silver medallist from the previous Games, boasts a personal best of 205 kgs, placing her second in the current rankings among her peers. A performance above 200 kgs in the upcoming Olympics could secure her a second medal, making her the first Indian weightlifter to achieve this milestone.

Thailand's Surodchana Khambao and Jourdan Elizabeth Delacruz of the USA, both with personal bests of 200 kg, present formidable competition for the podium. Mihaela-Valentina Cambei of Romania, with a personal best of 199 kg, and Japan's Rira Suzuki, with a best of 197 kg, complete the lineup of challengers.

She is struggling to reach even 190 since 2023. But with North Koreans out, there is an outside chance of some medal, at least a bronze. Hope she peaks on Aug 7th.  

Edited July 19, 2024 by Gollum