General Upendra Dwivedi Honors Indian Army Athletes for Paris Olympics Success
General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), honored Indian Army athletes for their remarkable achievements at the Paris Olympics 2024. The ceremony took place at South Block to celebrate the players’ accomplishments and acknowledge the Indian Army’s role in nurturing sporting talent.
Paris Olympics 2024 Achievements
The Indian contingent won a total of six medals, including one silver and five bronze. Sub Maj Neeraj Chopra secured the only silver medal for India in Javelin. Subedar Major Bommandevara Dhiraj achieved 4th position in Archery.
Indian Army’s Role in Sports
The Indian Army has been instrumental in fostering Olympic excellence. Established in 2001, the Mission Olympic Wing (MOW) focuses on identifying and nurturing sporting talent. The Army has set up two Girls’ Sports Companies and 18 Boys’ Sports Companies to empower young athletes.
Past Olympic Contributions
Over the past two decades, the Indian Army has made significant contributions to the Olympics, including:
- One Silver Medal in shooting by Colonel RVS Rathore in the 2004 Athens Olympics
- One Silver Medal in shooting by Subedar Major Vijay Kumar in the 2012 London Olympics
- One Gold and one Silver Medal by Subedar Major Neeraj Chopra in Javelin Throw in the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics
Representation and Achievements
During the Paris Olympics, the Indian Army represented 11.11% of the Indian contingent, with 13 out of 117 sportspersons. They contributed 16.66% to the overall medal tally. The Army also fielded its first female athlete, Hav Jaismine, in Boxing.
Asian Games 2023
At the Asian Games 2023, Indian Army athletes won 20 medals, including 3 Gold, 7 Silver, and 10 Bronze.
COAS’s Praise
The COAS expressed immense pride in the athletes’ achievements, highlighting their discipline, perseverance, and dedication. He emphasized that their success not only brings accolades but also inspires others to pursue excellence in sports. The Indian Army remains committed to nation-building through various socio-cultural engagements, including sports.
General Dwivedi expressed confidence that Indian Army athletes would continue to achieve greater heights in the future.
Doubts Revealed
General Upendra Dwivedi -: General Upendra Dwivedi is a high-ranking officer in the Indian Army. He is the Chief of the Army Staff, which means he is the top leader of the Indian Army.
Indian Army Athletes -: These are soldiers who also train and compete in sports. They represent India in various competitions like the Olympics and Asian Games.
Paris Olympics 2024 -: The Paris Olympics 2024 is a big sports event where athletes from all over the world compete. It will be held in Paris, France, in the year 2024.
Sub Maj Neeraj Chopra -: Sub Maj Neeraj Chopra is a famous Indian athlete who competes in Javelin throw. He is also a soldier in the Indian Army.
Javelin -: Javelin is a sport where athletes throw a long spear as far as they can. The person who throws it the farthest wins.
Mission Olympic Wing -: The Mission Olympic Wing is a special part of the Indian Army that helps soldiers train for sports. It was started in 2001 to find and support talented athletes.
Asian Games 2023 -: The Asian Games 2023 is a sports event where athletes from all over Asia compete. It happens every four years, and the 2023 event was the latest one.
COAS -: COAS stands for Chief of the Army Staff. It is the title given to the top leader of the Indian Army, who is currently General Upendra Dwivedi.
