Paris, France :The Paris Olympics 2024 saw its first major disappointment for the Indian contingent as shooters Ramita Jindal and Arjun Babuta fell short by just one point in the mixed 10m air rifle qualifiers on Saturday. Their performance, while commendable, was not enough to secure a place in the finals.

Jindal and Babuta finished in sixth place with a score of 628.7, narrowly missing the cutoff mark of 629.7. This slim margin of defeat marks India’s first setback in the ongoing Olympics. In a separate event, the duo of Elavenil Valarivan and Sandeep Singh ended up in 12th place with a score of 626.3, missing out on the next round as well.

With this outcome, India will not have representation in the medal rounds for the mixed 10m air rifle event. However, the shooting competitions continue with the men’s and women’s 10m air pistol qualifiers scheduled for later in the day. Top shooters including Sarabjot Singh, Arjun Cheema, Manu Bhaker, and Rhythm Sangwan will be competing, offering hope for a turnaround in the shooting sports.

The Paris Olympics, which have been taking place amidst a backdrop of heavy rainfall, have nonetheless managed to capture the spirit of the Games. The city has been a vibrant hub of cultural exchange, highlighted by an extraordinary Opening Ceremony held along the Seine River. Despite the weather, thousands of spectators flocked to the event, celebrating the universal values of sportsmanship and unity. The area from Austerlitz Bridge to Trocadero was transformed into a lively showcase of global diversity and Olympic enthusiasm.

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