In a letter to Chef de Mission of the Indian contingent Rakesh Gupta, the Dutchman complained about the accommodation provided to both the men’s and women’s hockey teams for the Rio Games. These documents and letters demonstrate that there was a series of letters exchanged between the British Olympic Association, the International Olympic Committee and the India Office discussing prospects of Indian participation at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. This time a wave of optimism is prevalent among Indian fans and they expect the Indian contingent to put up their best show ever in Indian sporting history. It includes both Bindra and Narang, but viewers should also watch out for Jitu Rai, the first Indian shooter to qualify this year.
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Meanwhile, Indian men’s hockey team defeated Spain in a practice match ahead of the Olympic Games.
The 2016 Indian shooting team is a force to reckon with this year. He had claimed a bronze at the London Games and will look for gold this time. India has a settled team with world class players such as captain goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, defender Sardara Singh, and quality dragflickers like Raghunath and Sunil.
As part of the new format, four teams from both the groups will make the quarterfinals. India needs to finish in the top 4 to qualify for the quarter-finals and then there is a knock out stage to the final. PV Sindhu is seeded 9th and came be a risky opponent on her day.
The show of Brazilian rhythms greeted the India squad, alongside those from the Bahamas, Burkina Faso, Gambia and Norway. The above is what has been accepted for years now as the start of the Olympic movement in India.
“Our qualification will do a world of good for women’s hockey in India”.
The Indian contingent will be preceded by Yemen and followed by Indonesia.
2014 Commonwealth games gold medalist Sivalingam Sathish Kumar will be an important contestant for India in weightlifting this year.
Women’s hockey team members Deepika Thakur (centre) and Preety Dubey dance with local performers at the welcome ceremony in Rio.
Wresting: Yogeshwar Dutt, competing in the 65kg men’s event is without doubt the biggest Indian medal hope in Rio.
Eight-time champions, India won their last Olympic gold at the 1980 Moscow Games.
On the women’s side, the Netherlands have captured seven world titles and been to every Olympics since 1984, winning three gold, one silver and three bronze medals. India won six medals at London, their highest haul so far.
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Among the many dispatches discussing India’s participation, funding was always a key issue.
