Game, set, match. Now for medals

India hopes for its best ever tally in Paris Olympics, which opens today

- SANKET KOUL & VISHAL MENON

From nutritionists, cooks and psychologists to sleep therapists, they will be led by Dinshaw Pardiwala, the chief medical officer, who will ensure the 117member contingent is fit and ready to perch itself on top of the podium.

The posse of doctors will also be embarking on an injury service surveillance programme and mental conditioning of athletes.

"Through our data-scouting team, we will be assessing how and why the injuries took place and whether it could have been prevented," Pardiwala explains. "We will also be monitoring the mental aspect to understand whether there should be any tweaks in our process."

As the twoweek sporting extravaganza begins Friday, with a gala opening ceremony at PARIS 2024 the scenic Seine River, India will be looking to top its previous medal tally of seven at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021 because of the pandemic).

The current contingent includes previous Olympic winners like javelin champion Neeraj Chopra and boxer Lovlina Borgohain.