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Yuvaraja Karunakaran

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Paris Olympics 2024: IOA President PT Usha Meets Rafael Nadal At The Olympic Village

Paris Olympics 2024: IOA President PT Usha Meets Rafael Nadal At The Olympic Village

PT Usha meets Tennis legend Rafael Nadal ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha met tennis legend Rafael Nadal at the Paris Olympic Athlete's Village in the French Capital. PT Usha, often called the "Queen of Indian track and field," boasts a stellar record with 11 Asian Games medals and a near-podium finish at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Her achievements have inspired many Indian athletes. Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal, hailed as the "King of Clay" for his 14 French Open titles, is all set to compete at his beloved Roland Garros, this time in the Paris Olympics 2024. Indian Athletes have started to arrive in Paris for the Olympics, which begin on July 26 with the opening ceremony.

PT Usha meets Tennis legend Rafael Nadal ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha has reached the French capital ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024. The Indian contingent, comprising 117 athletes, including 70 men and 47 women, has started settling into the Paris Olympics Athletes' Village. Before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, PT Usha met legendary Tennis player Rafael Nadal and extended her best wishes. Expressing her admiration and support, she shared her excitement on social media. The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024 will take place on Friday, July 26 and will be held on the Seine River. The event will start at 11:00 pm IST and is expected to last more than three hours.

For the first time in history, Indian athletes have qualified to participate in 16 sporting events at the quadrennial multi-sport event in Paris. After winning 7 medals in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, comprising 1 Gold, 2 Silver, and 4 Bronze Medals, the Indian contingent will definitely be looking to improve their medal tally to set new world records in Olympic Games history. India started their campaign on July 25, a day before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, with the men's and women's archery teams qualifying for the quarter-finals. However, the first medal event will start on Saturday, July 27, with the 10m air rifle event.

1. Where are the Indian athletes and how are they preparing?

Talking about the latest Olympics news, 55 athletes including PV Sindhu and the famous men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, have also touched down in Paris, ready to get the gold medal. The Indian boxing contingent, featuring Lovlina Borgohain, Nikhat Zareen, and Nishant Dev has also reached the French capital ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024. The Indian table tennis team and the archery team have also reached the French capital.

The men’s hockey team, which has high hopes of securing a podium finish, has also arrived. Alongside them, a strong shooting contingent led by young Manu Bhaker is polishing their skills at their training facilities in Paris. However, defending Olympic Javelin Throw champion Neeraj Chopra who will spearhead a 29-member athletics team, is yet to reach the French Capital. The athletics team includes standout performers like Avinash Sable, competing in the men’s 3000m steeplechase, and Annu Rani, participating in the women’s javelin throw.

2. Rafael Nadal to bring Olympic Gold back to Spain at the Paris Olympics 2024

The 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal and the Wimbledon 2024 champion, Carlos Alcaraz will participate in the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024 as men's doubles partners. As Rafael Nadal nears the end of his remarkable career, the 2024 Paris Olympics could provide a fitting farewell. Winning a doubles gold medal with Carlos Alcaraz would be a memorable way for Nadal to conclude his Olympic journey. Rafael Nadal, a fierce competitor and symbol of perseverance, has the chance to mentor Alcaraz on the Olympic stage, blending experience with youthful exuberance. Their partnership is set to be a standout feature of the Games, with fans eagerly anticipating their on-court chemistry and strategic collaboration. 

For Nadal, this could be the perfect farewell, and for Alcaraz, it could be the beginning of an Olympic legacy, following in the footsteps of his idol. Their matches could break all-time tennis viewership records at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. This may also be the first and final opportunity to see Nadal and Alcaraz playing together. Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal will compete in both singles and doubles events at the Games. Rafael Nadal lost to seventh-seeded Portugal tennis player Nuno Borges in the final of the Nordea Open on Sunday by 6-3, 6-2. This was his first final in around two years. The 37-year-old is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, winning in both 2008 and 2016. The Paris Olympics will likely be his final appearance at the quadrennial Games.

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