24 athletes added to TOPS; archery receives extra push, Pg17

Key Highlights:

• 24 athletes were newly added to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), bringing the total to 118.
• Eight compound archers were included following compound archery's addition to the 2028 Olympics.
• The scheme was rationalized after the Paris Olympics 2024, where India won six medals.
• Tejaswin Shankar and Animesh Kujur are among the 18 athletes added to the developmental group.

Detailed Insights:

• The TOPS scheme allows athletes to create personalized training plans, aiming to improve performance in international competitions.
• Compound archery has been boosted due to India's historical dominance and the inclusion of mixed team events in the LA 2028 Olympics.
• Sachin Yadav, a javelin thrower, was included in the list after finishing fourth at the World Athletics Championship.
• Mirabai Chanu remains the only weightlifter in the TOPS list, while wrestlers Sujeet Kalkal and Manisha have been added.
• There were no changes in the number of shooters in the TOPS core and developmental lists, with 18 and 19 shooters respectively.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS): A scheme by the Indian government to provide assistance to India's top athletes.
• Compound Archery: A form of archery where archers use a compound bow, which uses a levering system to bend the limbs.
• Rationalization: The process of making something more logical or consistent.