As Indian shooters embark on the new season in 2024, the impending Paris Olympics stands as a beacon of hope to end their 12-year quest for a coveted medal. Following disappointments in Rio and Tokyo, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has revised its selection criteria for the 2024 Paris Olympics, aiming to secure the best shooters for the Summer Games. The amended criteria reduce bonus points for Olympic quota holders participating in national Olympic selection trials, emphasizing merit.
Since the qualification period commenced on August 14, the Indian shooting squad has garnered an impressive 13 quota spots for Paris 2024. With the qualification window closing on June 9, 2024, the team is eager to bolster this tally further.
In the upcoming Asian Olympic qualifiers in Indonesia and Kuwait, 16 Paris Olympic quotas will be at stake in rifle and pistol events. Jakarta will host the Asian Olympic Qualification Rifle and Pistol events from January 5-18, where India aims to secure additional pistol quotas with five still up for grabs. All eight quota places in rifle events have already been secured.
Kuwait City will host the Asia Olympic Qualification Shotgun events from January 12-22, offering India the chance to compete for six quota places, four in skeet and two in trap shooting.
Beyond these events, the NRAI plans to conduct four selection trials in May to finalize the Indian team for the Paris Olympics. Shooter scores from these trials will be crucial, with bonus points added for those who have already secured an Olympics quota.
Adding to the anticipation, India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist, Abhinav Bindra, has been enlisted as a mentor to prepare the air pistol and rifle teams for the Paris Games. As the journey unfolds, the shooters are not only determined to qualify but also surpass the quota tally achieved during the Tokyo Olympics, with a sharp focus on ending the prolonged quest for Olympic glory.
–IANS
