Paris Olympics 2024, Day 1: It was a wonderful day for Indian fans across many sporting events at the Paris Olympics 2024, as Team India won convincingly in badminton, boxing, shooting, and hockey. Manu Bhaker became the country’s first shooter to qualify for the final, shooting in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol Event.

Manu Bhaker qualifies for the 10m Air pistol finals 🥳🎉

The 22-year-old finished 3rd in the qualifiers with a tally of 580 points 🔥#OlympicsonJioCinema #OlympicsonSports18 #JioCinemaSports #Cheer4Bharat #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/HoVBNpRgLD

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) July 27, 2024

India showed their dominance in badminton as well, with Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy winning in consecutive games to begin their group campaign on a high note.

🚨 Badminton – @satwiksairaj and @Shettychirag04 register a comfortable win in the first group stage match 👏🏽👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/Eb4usRfQxE

— Team India (@WeAreTeamIndia) July 27, 2024

On the first day of the group stage, hockey provided a tonne of entertainment as India pulled off a thrilling 3-2 victory over New Zealand to begin their campaign.

Congratulations #TeamIndia for the fantastic victory against New Zealand. Your hard work, dedication, and skill on the field have truly paid off.

Keep up the great momentum as you continue to make us proud.

#TeamIndia #OlympicHockey #proudmoment @TheHockeyIndia #Paris24… pic.twitter.com/ZQ2ChDUe7z

— Dilip Kumar Tirkey (@DilipTirkey) July 27, 2024

Preeti Pawar dominated her opponents in boxing, advancing to the Round of 16 following an overwhelming win in the Round of 32 on Saturday.

Punching her way into the next round! 🥊
Preeti advances into the next round after a convincing 5-0 win in the Women’s 54kgs Boxing Round of 32. 💪🏼#JeetKiAur #Cheer4Bharat pic.twitter.com/HTj5XfyVOe

— Team India (@WeAreTeamIndia) July 27, 2024

Here is the complete list of results of Team India on Day 1 of the Paris Olympics 2024:

Also Read: Huang Yuting’s Journey From A Young Athlete To An Olympic Champion

A month ahead of its commencement, the Paris Olympics have hit a controversy with the European Olympic Committees reacting strongly against the World Athletics’ decision to pay prize money to its winners.

World Athletics (WA) announced $50,000 in prize money to its 48 champions in Paris Olympics 2024.

“The decision by World Athletics to offer prize money to gold medallists at next month’s Paris Olympics is discriminatory and goes against Olympic values”, European Olympic Committees president Spyros Capralos said.

Sebastian Coe, the head of World Athletics, however, said that the body would not offer cash prizes for the silver and bronze medal winners in Paris, but would do so at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

Capralos said he would be attending the European athletics championships in Rome where he might possibly hold discussions on the matter.

Also Read: Top Five Medal Contenders for India in the Paris Olympics

Walking close on the heels of WA, the International Boxing Association (IBA) has also offered $100,000 to gold medal winners at the Paris Olympics 2024.

In addition, the IBA would also offer $50,000 and $25,000 for silver and bronze respectively.

The decisions received a backlash from the International Olympic Committee as well.

“We believe in the Olympic Games the athletes go there to compete for the values of the Olympic Games and their last preoccupation is to get money and bonuses,” said Capralos, who is also an IOC member.

“I think that every country through their National Olympic Committees and governments have set bonuses for athletes winning medals,” Mr Capralos told a press conference in Romania.

Also Read: Javier Mascherano Eyes Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria for Argentina in Olympic Paris 2024

Capralos said there had been no discussions with either international federation since their recent announcements.

“I think just giving some money to the gold winner is discriminatory and does not follow the principles of solidarity”, he reiterated.

10,500 athletes are expected to compete across 32 sporting events in Paris that would run from July 26 through August 11. 

Boxing, often dubbed the “sweet science,” is a sport deeply ingrained in human history, dating back to ancient times. From its origins as a basic form of combat to its modern-day incarnation as a regulated sport, boxing has evolved over centuries, captivating audiences with its grace, power, and strategy.

The Oldest Sport:
Boxing’s roots trace back to ancient civilizations, with evidence of fist-fighting dating as far back as the 3rd millennium BC. The sport gained prominence in 688 BC when it was included in the ancient Olympic Games, marking its place as one of the world’s oldest sports.

Evolution of Rules:
Over the years, boxing has seen various sets of rules and regulations. From Broughton’s rules in 1743 to the Marquess of Queensbury Rules in 1867, the sport has undergone numerous transformations to ensure fair competition and safety for the athletes.

Object of the Game:
At its core, boxing is about skillfully landing punches while avoiding being hit. While the goal may seem straightforward—to concuss the opponent—it is often described more tactfully as hitting without being hit, showcasing the strategic aspect of the sport.

Players & Equipment:
Boxers compete in a ring, typically measuring 16-25 feet along each side. The ring features corner posts 5 feet above the ground, creating a controlled environment for the bouts. Boxers wear gloves, ranging from 12oz to 16oz, designed to protect both the hand and the opponent.

Scoring:
Professional bouts are scored by ringside judges based on each round’s outcome. Judges determine the winner based on their assessment of each boxer’s performance. If a fight goes the distance, the decision is unanimous, split, or declared a draw. Knockouts, retirements, or disqualifications also determine the winner.

Winning the Game:
Victory in boxing can be achieved through knockout, technical knockout, or a decision by the judges. Knockouts occur when a boxer is unable to continue after being knocked down. Technical knockouts are declared when a boxer cannot continue due to injury or unwillingness. Judges’ decisions are based on scoring if the fight goes the distance.

Rules of Boxing:
Professional bouts consist of 12 three-minute rounds with one-minute rest intervals. Punching with a clenched fist is the only method of attack allowed. Strikes below the belt or to the back of the head are prohibited. Boxers cannot use the ropes for leverage or strike an opponent when they are down.

Boxing is not just a sport but a testament to human skill, resilience, and sportsmanship. As athletes step into the ring, they showcase the culmination of centuries of tradition and the enduring spirit of competition.