Olympic 2024: 40-Year-Old Tarundeep Rai Takes Lesson From Asian Games Snub for Paris Farewell

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Veteran Indian archer Tarundeep Rai is embracing a "now-or-never" mindset as he prepares for his fourth and final Olympic appearance at the Paris 2024 Games. The 40-year-old Rai, who has yet to secure an Olympic medal despite a decorated career, sees this as his last chance to achieve his dream.

Reflecting on his journey, he considers his exclusion from the Hangzhou Asian Games a turning point. Follow our elaborated Paris Olympics Coverage

"Yes, the Asian Games was a realization period and gave me a lot of positive vibes. If that did not happen, maybe I would not have made it to my fourth Olympics and reached here," Rai told news agency PTI. This setback prompted him to identify and address his weaknesses, setting him on the path to Paris.

Tarundeep Rai, a seasoned archer from Sikkim, has won numerous medals at global and continental levels, including two silver at the World Championships and multiple World Cup and Asian Games medals. Despite this, the Olympic podium has remained elusive. He views the upcoming Games as his ultimate test, not just for personal glory but also as a mentor to his teammates.

"It's emotional every day. It's the fourth time. It's a now-or-never situation for me, and that's what I tell my teammates too. Maybe someone playing his first or second Olympics should think like it's now or never," Rai emphasised.

Having competed in the 2004 Athens, 2012 London, and 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Rai's experiences have been a mix of early exits and close calls. The Tokyo Olympics saw the men's team, including Rai, reach the quarterfinals. As he gears up for Paris, he is determined to rectify past shortcomings and give his best performance.

"This Olympics, I'm playing with a three-year gap. Positive sign. Many changes. Tokyo, whatever I lacked, the objective is to rectify. Will do my best," Rai stated.

Tarundeep Rai has also been proactive in contributing to the future of Indian archery. He established an academy in Sikkim to impart his knowledge and experience to young archers. "Coaching or not, you have to give something back to the sport. This is one thing we have lacked. Transfer of technique, transfer of experience. Senior archers leaving should come back. This gap we have to fill up," Rai asserted.

As the Indian archery team begins its campaign in Paris, Rai is optimistic about their potential. For the first time since London 2012, India has a full six-member squad, allowing them to compete in all five events. Rai believes that this comprehensive approach, combined with the team's preparation and mindset, will help them break their Olympic medal drought.