Author: Trisha Ghosal

Neeraj Chopra, the pride of Indian athletics, has never shied away from pushing the limits. His recent silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, while an incredible achievement, left him visibly disappointed—a sentiment he didn’t try to hide. For an athlete of his caliber, with sky-high expectations, anything less than gold can feel like a shortfall. Yet, despite nursing a long-term groin injury that reportedly hampered his runway speed in Paris, Neeraj has chosen to compete in the final Diamond League event of the season in Lausanne. This decision, while showcasing his relentless drive, raises a significant debate: Is…

Trisha Ghosal As my colleague Rohan and I explored the picturesque city of Reims, France, we found ourselves standing before the awe-inspiring Notre Dame Reims. This cathedral, steeped in history, has been the sacred site where 25 kings of France were coronated, their destinies sealed in the presence of the iconic Joan of Arc. The grandeur of this place, with its soaring Gothic architecture and the weight of history in its stones, left us both humbled and reflective. But what struck me most was the striking parallel between the coronations of these kings and the upcoming Paris Paralympics, now…

Trisha Ghosal in Paris As I boarded the Seine River cruise in Paris, a sense of excitement washed over me, one that I hadn’t anticipated. The sun had started its descent, casting a golden hue over the city, and I couldn’t help but feel a connection to the athletes who, just a few weeks earlier, had embarked on a similar journey during the Paris Olympics 2024 opening ceremony. As the boat gently pulled away from the dock, I found myself slipping into a reverie, imagining the thrill, the pride, and the nerves that must have coursed through those athletes as…

Trisha Ghosal in Paris Paris, with its timeless allure and romantic spirit, has always been a city where dreams are etched into reality. Just a week ago, the world watched as the Paris Olympics 2024 concluded, a spectacular event where athletes from across the globe manifested their dreams of glory and triumph on the grandest stage. Now, as the city transitions from the euphoria of the Olympics to the anticipation of the upcoming Paralympics, the Seine River and the bridges near Notre Dame serve as a poignant metaphor for the power of manifestation — both in love and in sport.…

Trisha Ghosal in Paris As I prepare to cover the Paralympics for the first time, I find myself filled with anticipation unlike any other. This isn’t just another sports event—it’s a celebration of the human spirit, a testament to resilience, determination, and the unyielding pursuit of excellence. What excites me most about covering the Paralympics isn’t merely the incredible athletic feats that will unfold before my eyes, but the profound stories of courage and triumph that each athlete brings to these Games. The Paralympics, more than any other event, forces us to challenge our perceptions of ability and…

Trisha Ghoshal in Paris The excitement around the Paris 2024 Olympics has reignited a perennial debate on social media: Why does India, with its enormous population, still struggle to secure even double-digit medals? As I walked through the streets of Reims, a charming city in France, I stumbled upon an answer that was both simple and profound. While visiting Reims, my colleague and I decided to explore a park opposite the Stade de Reims stadium. This wasn’t just any park; it was a sprawling oasis of leisure and activity, bustling with life. As we meandered through the greenery, we observed…

Trisha Ghosal in Reims Visiting the Stade de Reims, even with its gates firmly shut, is like stepping into the pages of a grand, forgotten epic. The stadium might be silent, its stands empty, but the air thrums with the stories of the past—tales of triumph, artistry, and the indomitable human spirit. As I stood outside the arena, a chill ran down my spine, not from the cool breeze, but from the overwhelming presence of history, embodied in two iconic figures: Raymond Kopa and Just Fontaine. At the entrance, a bronze statue commands attention — Kopa, frozen in time, captured…

Trisha Ghoshal As we celebrate 77 years of India’s independence, we are reminded of the sacrifices made by countless individuals who fought for the freedom we now enjoy. But as the Tricolour flies high and we sing the national anthem with pride, a deeper question emerges: Are we truly independent? Do we, as a society, embrace the essence of freedom in all its forms, or are there still chains that bind us — chains of prejudice, judgment, and unrealistic expectations, especially in the world of sports? Sports have always been more than just games. They are a reflection of our…

Trisha Ghosal in Paris In the enchanting land of Paris, a city where every corner whispers verses of poetry, the greatest sacrifice in sports was quietly made. Paris, with its romantic boulevards, iconic Eiffel Tower, and history etched in art and revolution, is a city where the heartstrings of love and ambition are eternally entwined. But in the summer of 2024, Paris was not just the city of lights and love—it was the battleground where dreams collided, heroes were forged, and the great sacrifice of sports was made. As the world gathered in this timeless city for the Olympic Games,…

Trisha Ghoshal As the final embers of the Olympic flame flicker out, casting their last golden glows across the Parisian night, the City of Lights begins its gentle return to a quieter rhythm, one steeped in centuries of history, culture, and romance. The Paris Olympics 2024, an extraordinary confluence of athleticism and artistry, came to a triumphant close yesterday. For 20 days, the world’s gaze was fixed on this city, where the timeless elegance of the Seine intertwined with the electric energy of competition, creating a tapestry of moments that will be etched in the memory of all who witnessed…