Published By: Sayan Guha

India's Olympic Dreams: What to Expect in Los Angeles 2028

From Paris 2024 to LA 2028—what’s in store for India’s athletes in the next Olympic chapter?

With the Olympics in Paris 2024 already behind us, India saw a mixed bag of victories and close calls. The 117 Indian athletes brought back six medals, including one silver and five bronze, finished 71st in the list. With this total, India had the second-best performance of the Games.

Manu Bhaker spearheaded the effort by winning India's first medal in Paris—a bronze in shooting. Not only was she the first Indian woman to earn an Olympic shooting medal, but she also made history by winning two medals in one Olympics. Swapnil Kusale joined her in the limelight, adding a third shooting medal to make it the most successful shooting campaign in Indian history.

The men's hockey team won another bronze medal, matching their feats in Tokyo in 2020. With a silver medal, javelin star Neeraj Chopra became the nation's most successful individual Olympian. With a bronze in wrestling, 20-year-old Aman Sehrawat became the youngest medallist from India in Olympic history.

However, Paris left India with more questions than answers. Six fourth-place finishes and disqualifications, including Vinesh Phogat's, dimmed the spirit. The Games served as a reminder of the slim chances of Olympic triumph while also showcasing the potential of a wide range of Indian athletes competing in 16 different sports, from tennis to archery.

Looking forward: A glimpse into 2028

With the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles in our sights, Indian sport has plenty of great opportunities ahead of it. Here is what might be on the cards:

Breaking the medals barrier

India wants to reach double digits for medals, and that desire is undeniable. Paris needed to be better despite its promise. With the introduction of new sports and developing infrastructure, India might surpass its seven Tokyo medals. If they prepare well and are fortunate enough, India may make history in the Los Angeles Games.

Squash breakthrough

Squash's inclusion in the Olympic program could revolutionise the sport. Anahat Singh, a young athlete who has previously won a gold at the Asian Games, is poised to become the first Indian to win an Olympic medal in the same event. Her rise in squash is a tale worth following with great interest.

Cricket's gold standard

If women's cricket is included in the Olympics ahead of the men’s, as the Asian Games, Smriti Mandhana could lead India to a historic gold medal. Given the extraordinary talent on the current Indian women's cricket team, Mandhana's leadership might potentially bring about a golden period of the sport on the Olympic stage.

Lakshya Sen: From promise to podium

Lakshya Sen is a talent to watch. The energetic badminton star, who has already been identified as a future gold medal contender by two-time Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen, possesses the talent and commitment to make an impact in Los Angeles. Given his tremendous potential, a podium result in the men's singles is highly likely.

A javelin dynasty

There might be a fascinating South Asian competition for the javelin throw. In their prime, Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan might duplicate their historic 1-2 result at the Commonwealth Games. This dynamic pair might win the competition and potentially establish a new benchmark for the sport.

Anmol Kharb and the next generation of badminton

Following in the footsteps of Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, Anmol Kharb can add another medal to India's badminton tally. With consistency and continued success, beating some heavyweights on the international stage, her recent performances indicate that she is on course to reach her target.