India Celebrates 100 Years at the Olympics in Paris Exhibition
A special exhibition titled “100 years of India at Olympics” was inaugurated in Paris, France, showcasing India’s rich Olympic history. The event highlighted India’s growing importance in the global sporting landscape.
The exhibition was officially opened by India’s Ambassador to France, Jawed Ashraf. He was joined by prestigious figures including France’s Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Thomas Bach. Ambassador Ashraf took to his official social media account to express his gratitude to the JSW Sports organization for sponsoring the exhibition.
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The Ambassador also used the platform to talk about the emphasis Prime Minister Narendra Modi places on sports development within India’s national transformation plans. This aligns with the growing recognition of the role that sports can play in a nation’s overall well-being and international image.
JSW Sports: Champions of the Olympic Movement
Parth Jindal, the founder of the Inspire Institute of Sport, a JSW Sports initiative, spoke at the event. He emphasized JSW Sports’ commitment to furthering the Olympic movement, not just in India but throughout the world. JSW Sports’ partnership with the exhibition reflects this dedication.
In a separate social media post, Jindal expressed his honor at being associated with the exhibition. He specifically highlighted the institute’s privilege of partnering with the descendants of Pierre de Coubertin, the co-founder of the IOC and the driving force behind the revival of the modern Olympic Games in 1896. Jindal emphasized his strong belief in the values of sport, unity, and Olympism that Coubertin championed. He expressed his hope that by honoring Coubertin’s legacy, they could spread this message to Paris, India, and the entire world.
India’s Olympic Aspirations
With the Paris Olympics just around the corner (July 26 to August 11, 2024), the exhibition served as a timely reminder of India’s Olympic journey and its aspirations for the future. The Indian contingent will be aiming to surpass its best-ever Olympic performance, which included a gold medal and six total medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. India also has its sights set on exceeding its Paralympic record of 19 medals, including five golds, achieved in Tokyo.
Boxing Leads the Way for India
Boxing has emerged as a strong suit for India’s Olympic hopes. The country secured six quotas for the Paris Olympics in various weight categories: Amit Panghal (51kg), Nishant Dev (71kg), Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg). Three of these quotas were secured during the Asian Games held last year in Hangzhou, with Zareen, Pawar, and Borgohain clinching their spots. The remaining three quotas were earned by Panghal, Dev, and Lamboria during the Boxing World Qualifiers event held in June, showcasing their impressive performances.
The “100 years of India at Olympics” exhibition served as a significant milestone in showcasing India’s Olympic heritage and its commitment to future athletic success. With strong backing from organizations like JSW Sports and the dedication of its athletes, India is poised to make a powerful statement at the Paris Olympics and beyond.
