Indian Athletes Shine at Paris Olympics Despite Missing Out on Medals

Indian runner Vikash Singh finished 30th in the men's 20km race walk at the Paris 2024 Olympics, while Paramjeet Singh Bisht ranked 37th. Shooter Swapnil Kusale secured a bronze in the men's 50m rifle 3P event, marking India's third shooting medal. Akshdeep Singh couldn't finish his race.

Indian runner Vikash Singh clocked a time of 1:22:36, securing the 30th position in the men's 20km race walk at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Thursday. Despite his commendable effort, Vikash, the fastest among the three Indian athletes in the event, could not secure a medal. The 28-year-old had previously shown promise, finishing fifth in the same event at the Asian Games last year.

Joining Vikash in the race was Paramjeet Singh Bisht, who made his Olympic debut by completing the race in 1:23:48 and ranking 37th. This marked a significant milestone in his athletic career. Unfortunately, national record holder Akshdeep Singh faced a setback, bowing out after completing only 6 kilometers, unable to finish the event.

The race, held at the picturesque Trocadero, saw Ecuadorian athlete Brian Daniel Pintado clinch the gold medal with an impressive time of 1:18:55. Brazil's Caio Bonfim followed closely, securing the silver medal with a time of 1:19:09. Spaniard Alvaro Martin completed the podium, taking the bronze with a time of 1:19:11.

India's quest for an Olympic medal in the 20km race walk continues, with this event once again highlighting the challenging nature of the competition. Despite the setback, the performances of Vikash Singh and Paramjeet Singh Bisht showcase the potential of Indian athletes in international athletics. Their participation and efforts serve as a stepping stone for future success in the sport.

Meanwhile, in a remarkable achievement for India, shooter Swapnil Kusale won the bronze medal in the men's 50m rifle 3P event at the ongoing Paris Olympics on Thursday. Kusale also became the first Indian shooter to win a medal in this event. Kusale clinched the bronze medal in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men's Final after finishing in third place with an aggregate of 451.4, securing India's third medal in shooting overall.

Earlier in the qualification round, Swapnil Kusale had finished seventh with a score of 590-38x to qualify for the final. Indian shooters Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Swapnil Kusale both appeared in the men's 50m 3P qualification round. On his Olympic debut, Kusale ranked seventh, while Tomar ranked 11th with a total of 589-33x. Only the top eight shooters qualified for the final, leaving Tomar out of the competition.

The People's Republic of China's Liu Yukun registered the qualification Olympic record with a total of 594-38x.

(With inputs from agencies.)