Paris Olympics 2024: Veteran archer Tarundeep Rai looks to win elusive Olympic medal with men’s team

Rai, who made his Olympic debut in 2004, is an unofficial mentor to his fellow teammates, B. Dhiraj and Pravin Jadhav, apart from being an integral part of the Paris-bound men’s team.

Eyes on the target: Years of wisdom tells Rai that focusing on the process is essential as he looks for Olympic glory, competing in his fourth Games in Paris 2024. | Photo Credit: Biswaranjan Rout/The Hindu

At 40, archer Tarundeep Rai has emerged wiser after spending more than half of his life on the international circuit. On the verge of competing in his fourth Olympics, he understands the importance of not focusing on winning a medal.

Rai, who made his Olympic debut in 2004, is an unofficial mentor to his fellow India and Services teammates, B. Dhiraj and Pravin Jadhav, apart from being an integral part of the Paris-bound men’s team.

In an individual sport, the trio works as a team. “It’s not about an individual, it’s about the team,” Rai told Sportstar.

Years of wisdom tells him that focusing on the process is essential.

“We are working on getting the best version of ourselves that day. When the medal comes to the mind, then the problem starts somewhere. I have contacted many foreign athletes to know what they think and how they prepare... ,” Rai said.

“It is all about how you took the competition. Did you compete with medals in mind? Or did you want to show your best version there?”

Rai, whose contemporaries have turned coaches, elaborates on his quest for an Olympic medal. “Getting a medal will be the ultimate satisfaction of my career. The mistakes I made, because of which I did not get the medal, whatever it is -- be it stress, tension or thinking about the medal -- I am not letting that happen this time.

“I tell myself that I don’t want to take a big mountain on my head. I want to compete freely and win the best tournament of my life, the best Olympics,” said Rai, ever thankful to his family members for their constant support.

Ageless wonder: Tarundeep Rai practises at an archery ground in 2004. Rai’s contemporaries have turned coaches while he remains determined on his quest for an Olympic medal.  | Photo Credit: Sushanta Patronobish/The Hindu

This year has been a good calendar for the three and they want to continue with the momentum.

“It has been the best year so far. In the beginning, we won the Asia Cup first leg gold medal. In the World Cup Stage 1, we won the gold medal (beating powerhouse Korea). In the next two World Cup stages, we performed very well. We got good scores even though we could not win medals. We were able to achieve our goal. It is all a milestone for us. We are 100 per cent on the right track,” asserted Rai.