We don’t even participate in half of Olympic sports; need to improve: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged for increased Indian participation in a wider range of Olympic sports to improve the nation's medal tally. He emphasized that sports should be integrated into the national development agenda rather than being viewed solely as a means to win medals.
Why it matters
This reflects a strategic shift in Indian national policy to elevate the country's global sporting profile through talent identification and broader event engagement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (August 27, 2026) said India's Olympic performance can improve only if the country manages to increase its participation in those events where it has not participated in the past.
In a virtual address to hundreds of athletes, students and volunteers who gathered at various locations for the Khelo India Dialogue, the PM said his vision for sports is not merely about winning medals but making it an integral part of the nation-building process.
"In the Olympics, there are so many different sports... Indian teams don't even participate in half of them," Mr. Modi said, calling it a "bitter truth".
In the 2024 Paris Olympics, India participated in 16 of the 32 sports which were a part of the Games roster.
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