The Olympics is a stage where dreams are made, but also where heartbreaks occur. Many Indian athletes have come close to Olympic glory, only to fall just short.
This article lists some of the most heartbreaking moments in India's Olympic history, where top athletes missed out on a medal by the narrowest of margins.
India's biggest Olympics heartbreaks
Vinesh Phogat: 2024 Olympics
Vinesh Phogat was one of India's top hopes in wrestling at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Competing in the Women's 50kg event, she delivered a series of stunning performances, defeating top competitors including Japan's Yui Susaki (who had never lost an international bout) and Ukraine's Ostava Livach.
However, just as she was on the brink of making history, Phogat was disqualified for being slightly over the 50kg weight limit during the weigh-in for the final. This disqualification was a devastating turn of events for Phogat, who had been in peak form throughout the tournament.
Following this heartbreaking incident, Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling, marking a sad end to a promising Olympic campaign. From an assured silver or gold, India were left with nothing to show.
PT Usha: 1984 Olympics
PT Usha, known as the "Payyoli Express," was a pioneering figure in Indian athletics. At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, she competed in the women's 400-meter hurdles, a new event at that time. Usha was in top form, setting a Commonwealth record with a time of 55.54 seconds in the semi-finals.
In the final, she was expected to bring home a medal. However, a false start shook her focus, and despite running a strong race, she missed the bronze medal by just 1/100th of a second.
Usha finished fourth with a time of 55.42 seconds. This narrow miss by a fraction of a second was a heartbreaking moment for Usha and her fans, marking one of India's biggest Olympic heartbreaks.
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Milkha Singh: 1960 Olympics
Milkha Singh, famously known as the "Flying Sikh," is one of India's greatest athletes. His story at the 1960 Rome Olympics is one of near success.
Competing in the 400 meters, Milkha was leading the race for the first 200 meters and looked set to secure a medal. However, a brief glance back at his competitors cost him valuable time.
South Africa's Malcolm Spence overtook him in the final moments, and Milkha finished fourth with a time of 45.73 seconds, just 0.1 seconds away from a bronze medal. This close miss haunted Milkha Singh for the rest of his life.
Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi: 2004 Olympics
Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, two of India's greatest tennis players, had their sights set on an Olympic medal at the 2004 Athens Games. After reuniting as a pair, they began their campaign strongly, defeating opponents including the American duo of Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish, and then the Swiss pair of Yves Allegro and Roger Federer.
Their journey was halted in the semi-finals by the unseeded German pair, Rainer Schuettler and Nicolas Kiefer, who defeated them 2-6, 3-6. In the bronze medal match, Paes and Bhupathi fought hard but eventually lost, finishing fourth.
This loss was a devastating blow for the pair, who had shown moments of brilliance throughout the tournament but ultimately fell just short of the podium.
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Indian Women's hockey team: 2020 Olympics
The Indian women’s hockey team made history at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics by reaching the semi-finals for the first time. Their journey included overcoming a two-goal deficit against Great Britain in the bronze medal match.
Despite their best efforts, the Indian team lost 3-4 to Great Britain, narrowly missing out on their first Olympic medal. The loss was a tough one to take for the team, who had exceeded expectations and come so close to making history.
Lakshya Sen: 2024 Olympics
Lakshya Sen is a rising star in Indian badminton, and his performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics was eagerly watched. After defeating top opponents, including Chinese Taipei's Chou Tien-Chen, Lakshya reached the semi-finals.
However, in the semi-final, he lost to Viktor Axelsen. In the bronze medal playoff against Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia, where he was leading after winning the first set and being 8-3 up in the second set, Lakshya fell short, losing the match and finishing fourth.
The close miss was a heartbreaking moment for the young shuttler, who had been on the verge of becoming the first Indian male shuttler to win an Olympic medal.
Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna, 2016 Olympics
Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna represented India's hopes in tennis at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Competing in the mixed doubles, the pair reached the semi-finals after a series of strong performances, including a win over the British team of Andy Murray and Heather Watson.
In the semi-finals, they faced the American pair of Venus Williams and Rajeev Ram. Despite a strong start, Mirza and Bopanna struggled in the later stages of the match, losing 6-2, 2-6, 3-10.
They then lost the bronze medal match, finishing fourth. The close miss was a bitter pill to swallow for the pair, who had come so close to securing a medal for India.
Joydeep Karmakar, 2012 Olympics
Joydeep Karmakar’s story is one of perseverance and heartbreak. Competing in the Men's 50-meter Rifle Prone event at the 2012 London Olympics, Karmakar tied with nine others and entered a shoot-off to reach the finals.
Despite battling a cramp in his right calf, Karmakar finished fourth, missing the bronze medal by a mere 1.9 points. The near-miss was a devastating blow for Karmakar, who had come so close to winning an Olympic medal.
Dipa Karmakar, 2016 Olympics
Dipa Karmakar made history by becoming the first Indian woman gymnast to qualify for the Olympics in 52 years. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, she competed in the vault final and delivered a stunning performance that earned her a score of 15.066.
Despite her excellent routine, Dipa finished fourth, missing out on the bronze medal by just 0.150 points.
These athletes have given their all on the Olympic stage, and while they may not have won medals, their efforts remain an inspiration.
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