India's performance in the Paris Olympics 2024 has been completely contrary to expectations. India won seven medals, including one gold, at the Tokyo Games, but the number dropped to six in Paris. India won five bronze and one silver in Paris. After the flop show of Paris Olympics, now the sports ministry of the government has come into action mode.
The government will take a tough decision on the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and many people are likely to be left out. It will not be easy for Indian athletes to make it to the top now. Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) is discussing this and may take a decision soon. Two members of the committee said that a decision on the new selection criteria will be taken next week but there will be no cut in the funding given to the players.
Under TOPS, 300 athletes from India get financial assistance. An MOC official said that if the selection rules were tightened, the number of players would be halved to 150. It has been proposed that athletes with strong medal bids should be made part of the TOPS scheme. However, some members do not agree with this proposal. He believes that the new rules will exclude many players from the scheme. The players who went to Paris have not yet submitted the expense bill.
New athletes to be included in the planning for the 2028 Olympic circle will have to be transparent about everything. The expenses of many athletes are not yet clear. The official said many athletes have not yet deposited their bills and expenses amounting to around Rs 10 crore are pending. Some retired athletes have also not submitted their expenditure accounts. The money was given to him only after investigation by the committee.