Overcoming Adversity–Return to Athletics at 34-Olympian for the 3rd Time, Earns Paris 4x400m Relay Spot
M.R. Poovamma’s return to athletics at 34, following a two-year ban, is nothing short of remarkable. The sprinter expressed her determination to prove her worth in the relay team despite her age. “I wanted to show that I am still a key member of the relay team. Age does not matter, and I aimed to set an example. My comeback at this stage is very satisfying,” she told PTI. Despite the mental toll of her ban, Poovamma never considered retirement. “I was mentally broken, but I wanted to run again. My husband’s support and my coach’s training kept me going,” she said.
Personal Life-Dec 29, 2021: She got married to Malayali athlete Jithin Paul and she is the mother of a 2-year-old daughter.
A Decorated Career-Poovamma’s illustrious career includes medals from the Asian Games, World Championships, and the Olympics.
Facing Challenges-She was banned for two years for a doping offence in 2021. “Three years without any competition and coming back was not easy,” she said. Poovamma’s dope sample collected on February 18, 2021, had returned positive for stimulant methylhexaneamine, a specified substance under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.
Achievements and Honors
The Arjuna Awardee has an impressive record, with gold and silver medals in the 2013 Asian Championships, and multiple medals from the 2018 Asian Games.
Looking Ahead
Poovamma plans to continue competing as long as her body permits. “I love my sport and will not quit. I feel my body is in its best shape, even better than in my younger days,” she added, expressing optimism about running with better timing in the future.
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A Look Back at the Emblems of the Olympic Games (1896-1956): A Journey Through Early Visual Identity
The Olympic Games are a global spectacle that transcends borders and cultures, celebrating athletic excellence, international unity, and the pursuit of human potential. Beyond the competitions and victories lies a rich history of visual storytelling woven into the fabric of the Games. This story is told through the emblems – unique visual representations created for each Olympic edition. This article explores the evolution of the Olympic emblems from the early years (1896) to 1956, highlighting the changing artistic styles and symbolism used to capture the spirit of the Games.
The Early Years: No Official Olympic Emblems (1896)
The revival of the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, in 1896 marked a momentous occasion. The focus, however, was on reviving the athletic competitions themselves. There wasn’t a strong emphasis on creating a standardized visual identity for the Games in these early years. Organizers in Athens relied on posters and other printed materials to promote the event. These promotional materials likely featured elements associated with Greece, such as ancient Olympic imagery or iconic landmarks, but there wasn’t a single, unifying emblem that represented the Games as a whole. https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/athens-1896
1924: Paris Ushers in the Era of Host City Emblems
The 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris marked a turning point in the history of Olympic emblems. This year, alongside the now-iconic Olympic rings designed by Pierre de Coubertin in 1913, host cities began creating their own emblems. These emblems became a way for the host city to showcase its unique culture and heritage to the world, adding a layer of local flavor to the global spectacle of the Olympics.
The 1924 Paris emblem reflected this concept perfectly. It featured the city’s coat of arms, a symbol steeped in Parisian history, with a prominent image of a sailing ship gliding on the Seine River. This design incorporated both the city’s rich past and its connection to maritime trade, creating a visually appealing and culturally significant emblem.
Soaring Eagles and Classic Laurels: Olympic Emblems of the 1930s
The 1930s marked an era of distinctive and memorable Olympic emblems that reflected both the host cities’ unique identities and the broader cultural symbols of their nations. This period saw a continuation of the host city emblem tradition, with designs that varied significantly in style and symbolism.
The Majestic Eagle: Los Angeles 1932
The 1932 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, California, showcased a bold and striking emblem that encapsulated the spirit of the United States.
Design Elements
The emblem featured a majestic eagle with outstretched wings, a powerful symbol deeply rooted in American iconography. The body of the eagle was cleverly formed by the five interlocking Olympic rings, seamlessly integrating the emblem of the Olympic Movement into the national symbol.
Symbolism
Eagle: The eagle has long been associated with freedom, strength, and power in American culture. It is a symbol of the United States itself, prominently featured on the national seal and currency. By incorporating the eagle into the emblem, the design emphasized the host nation’s identity and its values.
Olympic Rings: The integration of the Olympic rings into the eagle’s body symbolized the unity and international cooperation fostered by the Olympic Games. The rings, representing the five inhabited continents, highlighted the global nature of the event.
Cultural Resonance
The emblem resonated deeply with both American and international audiences. For Americans, it was a source of national pride, reflecting the country’s strengths and aspirations. Internationally, the emblem conveyed the universal ideals of the Olympics through a distinctly American lens.
The Classic Laurel Wreath: Olympic Berlin 1936
In contrast to the bold and modern design of the Los Angeles emblem, the 1936 Berlin Olympics took a more classical and symbolic approach, reflecting the host nation’s historical and cultural heritage.
Design Elements
The Berlin emblem featured a stylized Olympic torch, a representation of the Olympic flame, burning brightly within a laurel wreath. This design combined elements of ancient Greek tradition with contemporary symbolism.
Symbolism
Olympic Torch: The torch, representing the Olympic flame, is a powerful symbol of the enduring spirit of the Games. It signifies the continuity of the Olympics from ancient times to the modern era, embodying the light of knowledge, life, and peace.
Laurel Wreath: The laurel wreath, a symbol of victory in ancient Greece, was awarded to victors in athletic competitions. By incorporating the laurel wreath, the emblem paid homage to the origins of the Olympic Games and underscored the theme of victory and honor.
Cultural Resonance
The emblem’s classical design reflected Germany’s deep appreciation for ancient Greek culture and its emphasis on tradition and history. The use of the laurel wreath and torch connected the modern Olympics to their ancient roots, evoking a sense of timelessness and reverence for the past. For international audiences, the emblem symbolized the enduring values of the Olympics – excellence, honor, and the pursuit of greatness.
A Dove for Peace: The Post-War Olympics of 1948
The 1948 Summer Olympics in London were the first to be held after the devastation of World War II. The Games served as a symbol of hope and international cooperation in the aftermath of the conflict. This message of peace was reflected in the emblem for the 1948 Games.
The emblem featured the now-familiar five interlocking Olympic rings, similar to the larger Olympic symbol. However, it incorporated a soaring dove positioned above the rings. The dove, a universal symbol of peace, was a poignant addition that resonated with the global desire for a more peaceful future.
Celebrating Athletes and Global Unity:Olympic Helsinki 1952
The 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, focused on the core essence of the Games – athletic competition. The emblem for these Games reflected this focus on athleticism and global unity. It featured a dynamic figure of a runner within a circle. The runner’s posture and the forward motion of the limbs conveyed a sense of energy and determination, while the circle symbolized the global nature of the Olympic Games, where athletes from all corners of the world come together.
A Tale of Two Cities: Melbourne 1956 Summer & Stockholm 1956 Winter
A unique situation arose in 1956. For the first time, the Summer and Winter Olympics were held in different cities in the same year. The Summer Olympics took place in Melbourne, Australia, while the Winter Olympics were held in Stockholm, Sweden. This resulted in two distinct emblems, each capturing the essence of the host city and the specific Games being held.
The Melbourne Summer Olympics emblem featured a detailed drawing of the Australian continent superimposed with a burning Olympic torch and the five interlocking rings. This design highlighted the host nation and the spirit of the Games, while also incorporating the iconic Olympic symbolism.
The Stockholm Winter Olympics emblem took a more winter-themed approach. It depicted a stylized snowflake with the Olympic rings at its center. The snowflake symbolized the winter season, while the rings emphasized the unity and global participation of the Games. This emblem effectively conveyed the essence of the Winter Olympics in a visually striking and culturally relevant manner.
Conclusion
From the early, emblem-free years to the more sophisticated and symbolic designs of the 1950s, the evolution of Olympic emblems reflects the changing artistic and cultural landscape of the 20th century. Each emblem tells a story of its time, capturing the spirit of the host city and the global nature of the Games. As we look back at these early emblems, we see not only the history of the Olympic Games but also a rich tapestry of visual identity that continues to inspire and unite people around the world.
Dhinidhi Desinghu, a young Indian swimmer, made history as the youngest member of the Indian contingent at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
She competed in the women’s 200m freestyle event.
Paris 2024 Olympics swimming, India schedule: Srihari Nataraj and Dhinidhi Desinghu aim to make a splash for India – Olympic Games Paris 2024
While she showcased great potential and determination, she unfortunately did not progress beyond the heats. Despite this, her participation was a significant milestone for Indian swimming, and her future in the sport is promising
Early Achievement and Sacrifices
Paris 2024 Olympics- , at just 14 years old, is set to become the youngest member of India’s contingent. Despite missing out on typical teenage activities, Dhinidhi is resolute in her pursuit of swimming excellence. She acknowledges feeling occasional loneliness but believes every sacrifice is justified in pursuit of her Olympic dream.She began competing in swimming at age eight. started swimming just for fun, to enjoy the water during my summer vacation.”
Discipline: Swimming Event: 200m freestyle Team: India Coach-Madhu Kumar BM[Dolphin Aquatics] Club name-Karnataka [IND] / Dolphin Aquatics [IND]
Swimming competitions at Paris 2024 will take place between July 27 and August 4 at the Paris La Défense Arena.
INDIAN SWIMMING TEAM FOR PARIS 2024 OLYMPICS
Srihari Nataraj and Dhinidhi Desinghu will represent India in swimming at the Paris 2024 Olympics.This will be Srihari Nataraj’s second Olympic appearance after Tokyo 2020 while teenager Desinghu is set for her debut in Paris.
Srihari Nataraj – men’s 100m backstroke
Dhinidhi Desinghu – women’s 200m freestyle
Path to Olympics Dhinidhi’s journey to the Olympics began with notable performances at the National Games and senior National championships, where she secured medals. Recognizing her potential, the Swimming Federation of India awarded her one of the Universality places, cementing her spot in the prestigious event.
Dreams and Ambitions Expressing excitement about her early Olympic selection, Dhinidhi sees this opportunity as a stepping stone for future Games in 2028 and 2032. She eagerly anticipates immersing herself in the Olympic Village environment, observing top athletes’ dedication and preparation, and gaining invaluable experience.
Inspiration and Role Models Dhinidhi looks up to seven-time Olympic gold medallist Katie Ledecky as her idol. She plans to meet Ledecky in Paris, fulfilling a dream she had nurtured since creating a greeting card for her idol last year.
Impact on Indian Swimming Amidst challenges in Indian swimming’s Olympic qualification, Dhinidhi’s selection stands out as a beacon of hope for the sport’s future in the country. Her participation signifies a positive stride forward, inspiring young swimmers nationwide.
Here’s a comprehensive chart detailing Dhinidhi Desinghu’s performances along with other swimmers in various relay events:
11th Asian Age group championship in Capas, Philippines -Dhinidhi Desinghu has made history by setting a New Best Indian record in the women’s 100m Freestyle event, with a stunning time of 57.33 seconds. Her performance surpasses the previous record held by Kenisha Gupta- 57.35, clocked in 2021.
“Meet the USA’s athletes for Paris 2024 – Artistic swimming , Table tennis , Taekwondo , Tennis , Trampoline , Triathlon , Volleyball , Water polo , Weightlifting and Wrestling
USA Track and Field Announces Paris 2024 Olympic Roster
USA Track and Field revealed its roster for the Paris 2024 Olympics on Tuesday, highlighting a mix of seasoned champions and promising newcomers. Leading the team are:
Ryan Crouser: Two-time Olympic champion and shot put world-record holder.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone: Olympic champion and 400-meter hurdle world-record holder.
Noah Lyles: Defending 100 and 200-meter world champion.
First-Time Olympians
The roster also features first-time Olympians, including:
Sha’Carri Richardson: Reigning women’s 100-meter world champion.
Quincy Hall: U.S. Olympic trials men’s 400-meter champion.
Relay Team Highlights
Christian Coleman: Though not qualified in an individual event, Coleman has been selected for Team USA’s 4×100-meter relay pool.
Quincy Wilson: The high school phenom, who broke the under-18 world record in the 400 meters at the trials, is among the 4×400-meter relay pool. Wilson is the youngest male ever to make a U.S. Olympic track and field roster.
Paris 2024 Olympic Competition Schedule
The Olympic track and field competition in Paris begins on August 1 and concludes on August 11.
Meet Team USA
See which athletes made the U.S. Olympic team and where they are from. Here are the full U.S. Olympic track and field rosters.
Meet the Women Representing USA Track & Field in Paris 2024 Olympic: Event-by-Event Roster
Here’s a chart summarizing the USA Track and Field team for Paris 2024, categorized by event, athlete, residence, and association:
Event
Athlete
Residence
Association
100m
Sha’Carri Richardson
Clermont, FL
Florida
Melissa Jefferson
Clermont, FL
Florida
Twanisha Terry
Clermont, FL
Florida
200m
Gabby Thomas
Austin, TX
Texas Southern
Brittany Brown
Tontitown, AR
Iowa
McKenzie Long
Dayton, OH
Ohio
400m
Kendall Ellis
North Hollywood, CA
Southern California
Aaliyah Butler
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida
Alexis Holmes
Hamden, CT
Connecticut
800m
Nia Akins
Seattle, WA
Pacific Northwest
Allie Wilson
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana
Juliette Whittaker
Laurel, MD
Potomac Valley
1500m
Nikki Hiltz
Flagstaff, AZ
Arizona
Emily Mackay
Endicott, NY
New England
Elle St. Pierre
Enosburg, VT
New England
3000m Steeplechase
Valerie Constien
Boulder, CO
Colorado
Courtney Wayment
Springville, UT
Utah
Marisa Howard
Boise, ID
Snake River
5000m
Elise Cranny
Niwot, CO
Colorado
Karissa Schweizer
Eugene, OR
Oregon
Whittni Morgan
Springville, UT
Utah
10,000m
Weini Kelati
Flagstaff, AZ
Arizona
Parker Valby
Brooksville, FL
Florida
Karissa Schweizer (also 5000m)
Eugene, OR
Oregon
Marathon
Fiona O’Keefe
Chapel Hill, NC
North Carolina
Emily Sisson
Flagstaff, AZ
Arizona
Dakotah Lindwurm
Hopkins, MN
Minnesota
100m Hurdles
Masai Russell
Upper Marlboro, MD
Upper Marlboro, MD
Alaysha Johnson
Dallas, TX
Southwestern
Grace Stark
White Lake, MI
Michigan
400m Hurdles
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
Playa Vista, CA
Southern California
Anna Cockrell
Westworth Village, TX
Southwestern
Jasmine Jones
Atlanta, GA
Georgia
High Jump
Rachel Glenn
Long Beach, CA
Southern California
Vashti Cunningham
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada
Pole Vault
Bridget Williams
Fairlawn, VA
Virginia
Katie Moon
Powder Springs, GA
New York
Brynn King
Tomball, TX
Gulf
Long Jump
Tara Davis-Woodhall
Fayetteville, AR
New York
Jasmine Moore
Gainesville, FL
Florida
Monae’ Nichols
Winter Haven, FL
Florida
Triple Jump
Jasmine Moore
Gainesville, FL
Florida
Keturah Orji
Atlanta, GA
Georgia
Tori Franklin
Chicago, IL
Illinois
Shot Put
Chase Jackson
Holman, NM
New Mexico
Raven Saunders
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina
Jaida Ross
Eugene, OR
Oregon
Discus
Valarie Allman
Austin, TX
Texas Southern
Jayden Ulrich
East Alton, IL
Ozark
Veronica Fraley
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina
Hammer
Annette Echikunwoke
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio
DeAnna Price
Champaign, IL
New York
Erin Reese
Terre Haute, IN
Indiana
Javelin
Maggie Malone Hardin
Lincoln, NE
New York
Heptathlon
Anna Hall
Gainesville, FL
Florida
Chari Hawkins
San Diego, CA
San Diego-Imperial
Taliyah Brooks
Tontitown, AR
Arkansas
Relay Pool
Kaylyn Brown
Gastonia, NC
North Carolina
Tamari Davis
Orlando, FL
Florida
Quanera Hayes
Hope Mills, NC
North Carolina
Aleia Hobbs
Geismar, LA
Southern
Shamier Little
Farmington, AR
Arkansas
Isabella Whittaker
Laurel, MD
Potomac Valley
USA Track and Field team members for Women’s events
Meet the Men Representing USA Track & Field in Paris 2024 Olympic: Event-by-Event Roster
Here’s the chart summarizing the USA Track and Field team for Paris 2024, focusing on men’s events, athletes, residences, and associations:
Event
Athlete
Residence
Association
100m
Noah Lyles
Clermont, FL
Potomac Valley
Kenny Bednarek
Minneola, FL
Wisconsin
Fred Kerley
Miami, FL
Florida
200m
Noah Lyles
Clermont, FL
Potomac Valley
Kenny Bednarek
Minneola, FL
Wisconsin
Erriyon Knighton
Gainesville, FL
Florida
400m
Quincy Hall
Gainesville, FL
Florida
Michael Norman
Los Angeles, CA
Southern California
Chris Bailey
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas
800m
Bryce Hoppel
Dallas, TX
Southwestern
Hobbs Kessler
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan
Brandon Miller
O’Fallon, MO
Pacific Northwest
1500m
Cole Hocker
Blacksburg, VA
Oregon
Yared Nuguse
Boulder, CO
Colorado
Hobbs Kessler
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan
3000m Steeplechase
Kenneth Rooks
Provo, UT
Utah
Matthew Wilkinson
Minneapolis, MN
Arizona
James Corrigan
Los Angeles, CA
Southern California
5000m
Grant Fisher
Park City, UT
Utah
Abdihamid Nur
Flagstaff, AZ
Arizona
Graham Blanks
Athens, GA
Georgia
10,000m
Grant Fisher
Park City, UT
Utah
Woody Kincaid
Portland, OR
Oregon
Nico Young
Flagstaff, AZ
Arizona
Marathon
Conner Mantz
Provo, UT
Utah
Clayton Young
Springville, UT
Utah
Leonard Korir
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado
110m Hurdles
Grant Holloway
Gainesville, FL
Florida
Freddie Crittenden
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona
Daniel Roberts
Greensboro, NC
Kentucky
400m Hurdles
Rai Benjamin
Bronxville, NY
New York
CJ Allen
Marietta, GA
Georgia
Trevor Bassitt
Gainesville, FL
Ohio
High Jump
Shelby McEwen
Abbeville, LA
Southern
JuVaughn Harrison
Baton Rouge, LA
Southern
Vernon Turner
Norman, OK
Oklahoma
Pole Vault
Sam Kendricks
Oxford, MS
Southern
Chris Nilsen
Vermillion, SD
New York
Jacob Wooten
Tomball, TX
Gulf
Long Jump
Jeremiah Davis
Tallahassee, FL
Florida
Malcolm Clemons
Richmond, CA
Pacific
Jarrion Lawson
Rogers, AR
Arkansas
Triple Jump
Salif Mane
Teaneck, NJ
New Jersey
Russell Robinson
Windermere, FL
Florida
Donald Scott
Gainesville, FL
Michigan
Shot Put
Ryan Crouser
Farmington, AR
Arkansas
Joe Kovacs
Dublin, OH
New York
Payton Otterdahl
Lincoln, NE
Dakotas
Discus
Andrew Evans
Portage, MI
Kentucky
Sam Mattis
Temple, PA
Mid-Atlantic
Joseph Brown
Commerce, TX
Southwestern
Hammer
Daniel Haugh
Marietta, GA
New York
Rudy Winkler
Washington, DC
New York
Javelin
Curtis Thompson
Florence, NJ
New England
Decathlon
Heath Baldwin
Kalamazoo, MI
Michigan
Zach Ziemek
Waunakee, WI
Wisconsin
Harrison Williams
Chula Vista, CA
North Carolina
Relay Pool
Christian Coleman
West Columbia, SC
South Carolina
Bryce Deadmon
Houston, TX
Gulf
Kyree King
Clermont, FL
Florida
Courtney Lindsey
Rock Island, IL
Illinois
Vernon Norwood
Baton Rouge, LA
Southern
Quincy Wilson
Bowie, MD
Potomac Valley
USA Track and Field team members for men’s events
Here’s the staff roster for USA Track & Field for the Paris 2024 Olympic, categorized by name and position:
Name
Position
LaTanya Sheffield
Women’s Head Coach – Sprints / Hurdles
Stanley Redwine
Men’s Head Coach – Distance
Deletha Quarles
Women’s Jumps / Multis
Nic Petersen
Men’s Jumps / Multis
Ashley Kovacs
Women’s Throws
Gary Aldrich
Men’s Throws
Amy Begley
Women’s Distance
Michael Ford
Men’s Sprints / Hurdles
Danielle Siebert
Women’s Head Manager
Manny Bautista
Men’s Head Manager
Tim Weaver
Event Manager
Demetria Davis
Event Manager
Mike Marsh
Head Men’s Relay Coach
Mechelle Freeman
Head Women’s Relay Coach
Darryl Woodson
Relay Coach
Dustin Williams
ATC (Co-Head)
Christie Coad
ATC (Co-Head)
Kiki Cruickshank
ATC
Brittany Garcia
ATC
Monique Burton
MD
Amadeus Mason
MD
Asdrubal Lopez
DC
Connie Hayes
DC
Jerrica Thomas
PT
Harris Patel
PA / ATC
Chris Yee
LMT
Chris Margallo
PT
Chris Thomas
LMT
Ena Weinstein
ATC / LMT
Chris Stanley
Sports Psych
Alicia Glass
USOPC Dietician
Mackenzie White
USOPC Dietician
Rikki Keen
USOPC Dietician
Sean McCann
USOPC Sports Psych
USA Track & Field staff members for the Paris 2024 Olympic