Paris Olympics 2024 Day 1 Live Updates: A Spectacular Start to the Games

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The highly anticipated Paris Olympics 2024 has officially commenced, marking the start of an exhilarating journey filled with athletic excellence and unforgettable moments. Day 1 of the Games set a thrilling tone with outstanding performances, record-breaking feats, and the vibrant opening ceremony that captivated audiences worldwide.
Paris Olympics 2024 Day 3 Live Updates

Paris Olympics 2024, Day 1! The much-anticipated event has finally commenced, and the excitement is palpable as athletes from around the world compete for glory. For India, Day 1 saw a mix of triumphs and near misses for Team India as athletes competed in various disciplines, showcasing their skills and determination on the global stage.

Shooting: Sarabjot Singh Falls Just Short of Making the Air Pistol Finals and Finishes Ninth in Qualification

Indian shooter Sarabjot Singh delivered a commendable performance in the men’s 10m air pistol event, narrowly missing out on a spot in the final. With an aggregate score of 577 after six series of shooting, Sarabjot tied with Germany’s Walter Robins but missed the final spot by a single inner 10s count. While Robins shot 17 inner 10s, Sarabjot managed 16.

Arjun Cheema, another Indian contender in the same event, finished 18th with an aggregate score of 574. Despite the heartbreak, Sarabjot’s effort reflected the competitive spirit and potential of Indian shooters at the Games.

Shooting: Manu Bhaker Ends 4th Series to Take 4th Spot in Women’s Pistol

Manu Bhaker closes 4th series at 96. She is placed fourth as the 5th series is underway at the Paris Games. Turkey’s Sevval Ilayda Tarhan has climbed to the top spot. Rhythm Sangwan has also bounced back as Bhaker’s compatriot is ranked 13th in the women’s 10m air pistol women’s qualification event and meanwhile, concluded at 15th place with a score of 573-14x.

Manu Bhaker qualified for the women’s 10m air pistol final. She is the first Indian competitor who has advanced to the final of an event at the Olympics in Paris 2024. She finished third with a 580-27x score. Through heartache at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she found redemption during the Paris Olympics.

Tennis: Gael Monfils Replaces Bopanna-Balaji in the Doubles Match

In a surprising turn of events, French tennis player Gael Monfils replaced Fabien Reboul to partner with Édouard Roger-Vasselin in the men’s doubles event. The duo faced India’s Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji in the first round. Monfils, known for his prowess in the singles circuit with semi-final appearances at Wimbledon and the US Open, brought his experience and flair to the doubles match, adding an exciting twist to the competition.

Kazakhstan Wins the First Medal of Paris 2024 Olympics, China Bags First Gold

Kazakhstan’s shooters Islam Satpayev and Alexandra Le clinched the first medal of the Paris Olympics 2024 by securing a bronze in the 10m air rifle mixed team event at Chateauroux. In the bronze medal match, the duo defeated Germany’s Maximilian Ulbrich and Anna Janssen, marking a significant achievement for Kazakhstan.

Meanwhile, the People’s Republic of China claimed the first gold medal of the Games. Lihao Sheng and Yuting Huang triumphed over Jihyeon Keum and Hajun Park of the Republic of Korea in the final of the same event, securing China’s position at the top of the medal tally early in the competition.

Shooting: Arjun Babuta and Ramita Jindal Place Sixth in Qualification

Indian shooters Ramita Jindal and Arjun Babuta participated in the 10m air rifle mixed team event, finishing sixth in the qualification round with an aggregate score of 628.7 across three rounds. Another Indian pair, Sandeep Singh and Elavenil Valarivan, ended in the 12th position with a score of 626.3. Despite their efforts, both pairs fell short of securing spots in the medal matches, highlighting the intense competition in the event.

Rowing: Balraj Panwar Finishes Fourth in Heats

Indian rower Balraj Panwar began India’s campaign in the men’s single sculls heats, finishing fourth in Heat 1 with a time of 7:07:11. Balraj will compete in the repechage round, which offers another opportunity to reach the quarter-finals. Only the top three rowers from each heat automatically qualify for the quarter-finals, making the repechage round crucial for Balraj’s progression in the event.

Swimming: Team USA’s First Medal and Upcoming Finals

U.S. swimmer Katie Ledecky aimed for her first medal of the Games in the 400m freestyle, while seven-time Olympic gold medalist Caeleb Dressel competed in the 4x100m freestyle relay. Team USA secured its first medal in synchronized diving when Kassidy Cook and Sarah Bacon won silver. The U.S. will compete for gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay and 400m freestyle events. However, men’s street skateboarding was postponed until Monday due to weather conditions.

Other Key Events and Indian Athletes in Action

The latter half of Day 1 featured a variety of sports, including badminton, hockey, and boxing. Indian shuttlers HS Prannoy and the doubles team of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Reddy aimed to make an early impact in badminton, while the men’s hockey team faced New Zealand in their Pool B opener.

In boxing, Preeti Pawar took on Vietnam’s Thi Kim Anh Vo in the Women’s 54kg opening round bout, showcasing India’s talent in the ring. Additionally, the men’s single sculls event saw Panwar Balraj representing India, hoping to advance through the repechage round.

India’s Medal Hopes and Expectations

India sent a strong 117-member contingent to the Paris Olympics 2024, aiming to surpass their tally of seven medals from the Tokyo Games. With star athletes like Neeraj Chopra, Manu Bhaker, Lakshya Sen, PV Sindhu, and the men’s hockey team, India has high hopes for a successful campaign. Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Nikhat Zareen, along with boxer Lovlina Borgohain and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, are also expected to shine, aiming to replicate their Tokyo performances.

Badminton has been a consistent medal-winning sport for India since the 2012 London Games, and wrestling has also been a strong contributor. Despite recent challenges in the wrestling federation, athletes like Sakshi Malik continue to inspire, even if they are not competing this time.

In Short!

Day 1 of the Paris Olympics 2024 has been a rollercoaster of emotions for the Indian contingent. While the shooting events brought disappointment, other sports like rowing, badminton, tennis, and hockey offer hope and promise. The athletes’ dedication and resilience are evident as they compete on the world stage, aiming to make their nation proud.

As the games progress, fans can expect more thrilling performances, historic achievements, and heartwarming moments. Stay tuned for more live updates and highlights from the Paris Olympics 2024.

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