BCCI Announces ₹8.5 Crore Support for Indian Athletes at 2024 Paris Olympics

In what comes as a massive shot in the arm for the Indian athletes preparing to compete in the Paris Olympics 2024, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah announced that the cricket administering body would be donating ₹8.5 crore to the Indian Olympic Association.

"Proud to announce that the @BCCI will be contributing our mighty athletes who represent #India at the 2024 Paris Olympics. We are supporting the IOA's campaign with INR 8.5 Crores," Jay Shah posted on X, formerly Twitter. He also sent out his best wishes to the Indian contingent, saying: "Make India proud! Jai Hind!"

I am proud to announce that the @BCCI will be supporting our incredible athletes representing #India at the 2024 Paris Olympics. We are providing INR 8.5 Crores to the IOA for the campaign.

To our entire contingent, we wish you the very best. Make India proud! Jai Hind! 🇮🇳…

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) July 21, 2024

Shah's announcement comes as the Paris Games are set to commence on July 26, 2024. The contingent of India would be 117 athletes, while the support staff would be 140-strong to back them up—making it a 257-member team.

A Ministry of Defence press release focussed on the large contribution of the Armed Forces in this year's Olympics. Among the 117 Indian athletes, there are 24 Armed Forces personnel. In the contingent is star Javelin thrower Subedar Neeraj Chopra, among the 22 male athletes, while two female Service athletes will mark their maiden participation at the Olympics.

With the country's premier cricketing body behind them and the involvement of the Armed Forces, the Indian contingent is therefore bound to create a flutter at the Paris Olympics.