Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi honored Indian Army athletes on Friday for their participation in the recent Paris Olympics, expressing his belief that they will continue to strive for excellence and reach new heights. The Indian Army comprised 11.11% of the Indian contingent, with 13 athletes out of 117, and contributed significantly to the overall medal tally, achieving 16.66%. Notably, Sub Maj Neeraj Chopra secured the only silver medal for India in javelin throw.
The ceremony, held at South Block, celebrated not only the athletes’ achievements but also recognized the Army’s vital role in developing sporting talent across the nation. General Dwivedi praised their “remarkable accomplishments” and conveyed confidence in their future endeavors.The Indian contingent earned a total of six medals—one silver and five bronze—with Chopra’s performance marking a significant achievement for the Army at the Olympics. As India prepares to bid for the 2036 Olympics, the Army has been instrumental in promoting Olympic excellence, having established the Mission Olympic Wing (MOW) in 2001 to scout and nurture talent.
To further support young athletes, the Army has created two Girls Sports Companies and 18 Boys Sports Companies, aiming to provide platforms for skill development and confidence building. The Army’s historical achievements include Colonel RVS Rathore’s silver medal in shooting at the 2004 Athens Olympics and Sub Maj (Hony Capt) Vijay Kumar’s silver in the 2012 London Games.The recent Olympics also marked a milestone with the Army fielding its first female athlete, Hav Jaismine, in boxing.
Additionally, Army athletes excelled at the 2023 Asian Games, securing 20 medals, including three golds. General Dwivedi expressed immense pride in the discipline and dedication of the Army’s sportspersons, highlighting their role as inspirations for others in the pursuit of sporting excellence. The Army continues to demonstrate its commitment to nation-building through various socio-cultural initiatives, including sports
