New Delhi: India is taking a significant step to ensure comprehensive support for its athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics by dispatching an extensive support team alongside its contingent.
The Games, set to begin on July 26, 2024, will see India sending a total of 117 athletes competing in 16 sports disciplines, supported by 140 support staff members.
The Indian delegation’s focus is firmly on adopting an Athlete-Centric and Athlete-First approach, with a methodical and holistic strategy for selecting support personnel. This initiative reflects a commitment to placing athletes at the core of decision-making processes. The additional support staff were selected based on detailed discussions and recommendations from the athletes themselves, ensuring their specific needs and preferences are addressed.
Among the 140 support staff, 67 will reside within the Games Village, providing direct support to athletes. This group includes coaches, team doctors, recovery experts, sports scientists, and physiotherapists. The remaining staff members will be housed outside the Games Village due to the International Olympic Committee’s restriction on support staff numbers—only 33% of the contingent can be accommodated within the village. These external staff include additional coaches, Strength & Conditioning Experts, trainers, sparring partners, and mental conditioning coaches, ensuring athletes have seamless access to essential support services.
This year’s delegation will feature several new roles aimed at enhancing athlete care, including nutritionists, sleep therapists, and sparring partners. The Indian team will be supported by 43 coaches and personal coaches, 25 foreign coaches, 26 physiotherapists, and 7 masseurs.
To further support this initiative, the Government of India has arranged for hotel accommodations near the Games Village for the additional staff and secured daily passes to allow them to visit athletes during training sessions. This logistical arrangement ensures that athletes receive the necessary preparation and support leading up to their critical competitions.
