After a spectacular 17-day action (July 23-August 8), the world’s biggest sporting event, the 32nd Summer Olympic Games concluded at the National Stadium in Japanese capital on August 8, 2021.
- This was also the first Olympics that was held without spectators.
- Wrestler Bajrang Punia, who won a Bronze in the Men’s freestyle 65 kilogram event, led the Indian contingent out during the parade of athletes at the closing ceremony.
- Governor of Tokyo Yuriko Koike handed over the flag to International Olympic Committee’s President who passed it over to the first female Mayor of Paris, Ana María Hidalgo.
- Paris is hosting the 2024 Summer Games. French president Emmanuel Macron invites the world to Paris for the 2024 Summer Games from the top of the Eiffel Tower.
USA tops medal tally
- The United States of America and China led the medals tally with host Japan and Great Britain following while India was placed 48th in the table.
- United States topped the final medal count, earning 113 medals including 39 Gold. China came in second with 88 medals, 38 of which are gold, followed by the Russian Olympic Committee with 71 total medals.
India’s achievements
- India won seven medals — one gold, two silvers and four bronzes — and cumulatively edged past the previous best of six at the 2012 London Games.
- Neeraj Chopra hurled the javelin to fetch the country its first Olympics gold in track and field. Neeraj’s winning effort at 87.58m capped the finest ever performance by Indian sportspersons in the quadrennial global stage.
- It was also India’s second individual gold at the Games after shooter Abhinav Bindra hit bullseye at Beijing in 2008.
- Wrestler Bajrang Punia won bronze in the men’s freestyle 65kg bout.
- The Indian hockey team, led by Manpreet Singh, clinched a historic bronze medal, defeating Germany 5-4 in the playoff match.
- Shuttler PV Sindhu became the only second Indian to win two Olympic medals, winning a bronze in women’s singles, while Mirabai Chanu won a silver in weightlifting.
- Among wrestlers, Ravi Dahiya with Silver medal and Bajrang Punia with bronze brought the nation glory, while Lovlina Borgohain won the sole bronze medal in boxing.
