Page 35 - NIS English 1-15 September 24
P. 35
Paris Olympics 2024 Nation
20 medals in 60 years and 15 medals in 8 years
20 medals 15 medals
Swapnil Kusale
50m Rifle 3 Position 1952-2012 2016-2024
Shooting, Bronze Although the Olympics were first organized in
Father had to take a 1898, India participated for the first time in 1900.
loan from the bank for Since then, India has won a total of 41 medals
in the Olympics, but from 1952 to 2012, i.e. in
Swapnil 60 years, India has won only 20 medals, while
after that, in the eight years from 2016 to 2024,
it has won 15 medals.
Swapnil Kusale's name has been associated with a
historic achievement in the Paris Olympics. He won
a bronze medal in the 50m Rifle 3 Position event at Games. Their success is a victory of their skill,
dedication and team spirit. They displayed
the Paris Olympics. His performance is very special
immense courage and resilience. Every Indian
because he is the first Indian athlete to win a medal
in this category. Target Olympic Podium Scheme- has an emotional attachment with hockey and
TOPS Athlete Swapnil was born in 1995 in a family with this achievement will make this sport even
an agricultural background in Pune-Maharashtra.
more popular among the youth of our country.”
At the age of 14, Swapnil's father enrolled him in
Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian to
Krida Prabhodini, a sports dedicated scheme of the
Maharashtra government. After a year of rigorous win gold and silver medals in two consecutive
physical training, he had to choose a sport in which Olympics. Neeraj Chopra achieved this feat by
he chose shooting. After impressive performance at throwing the javelin 89.45 meters in Paris. He
won the gold medal by throwing the javelin
the junior level, he was given a job in the Railways
87.58 meters at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
which helped in raising the money required for
preparation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Neeraj
Swapnil's father Suresh Kusale is a teacher and
mother Anita is the Sarpanch of Kambalwadi village. Chopra's achievement, "Neeraj Chopra is a
living example of excellence! He has shown his
Swapnil has been practicing shooting since 2009-10.
talent time and again. India is happy that he has
Shooting is an expensive sport. Swapnil Kusale has
told in an interview that there was a time when he did once again been successful at the Olympics.
not have money to buy a bullet for practice. My father Congratulations to him on winning the silver
medal. He will continue to inspire countless
took a loan from the bank so that I could buy a bullet.
I used every bullet carefully while practicing shooting.
budding athletes to realize their dreams and
He considers cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni as his make our country proud."
idol.
Swapnil Kusale's journey to the Olympic medal is Indian wrestler Aman Sehrawat won
associated with many achievements. Swapnil also the bronze medal in the 57 kg category by
won the gold medal in the team event at the 2022 defeating his opponent 13-5 on the strength
of determination and tactical skills. While
Asian Games. He also won the bronze medal in the
team event at the 2022 World Championship and congratulating Aman, PM Modi said, "It is
the gold medal in the team event at the 2021 World a matter of great pride for our wrestlers!
Cup in New Delhi. Won the Olympic quota place for
Their dedication and determination is clearly
India by finishing fourth in the World Championship,
Cairo-2022. Apart from this, he has won gold medals visible. The whole country is celebrating this
in many events. remarkable achievement."
New India Samachar September 1-15, 2024 33
