Patna, June 22, 2024: Shreyasi Singh, an international shooter from Bihar, has been selected to join the 21-member Indian shooting team for the Paris Olympics 2024, commencing in July. This marks a historic achievement as she becomes the first athlete from Bihar to compete in the Olympics.
At a press conference titled “Bihar in Olympics” held at the Patliputra Sports Complex, Raveendran Sankaran, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Bihar State Sports Authority, shared the news.
Expressing her gratitude, Shreyasi said, “It is every athlete’s dream to represent their country in the Olympics. Throughout my 17-year sports career, I have always waited for this moment. Today, the dream of Bihar’s participation in the Olympics has been realized. It brings immense happiness and pride, and I will strive to meet the expectations of millions of Biharis and fellow Indians by winning a medal.”
She acknowledged the support from the Bihar government, highlighting the rapid development of sports infrastructure under the new sports policy and the increasing enthusiasm for sports in the state. She also mentioned plans for an international-level shooting range in Bihar.
Sankaran noted the significance of Shreyasi’s selection, emphasizing the boost in morale and enthusiasm among Bihar’s athletes. He remarked that while the goal was for Bihar to participate in the 2028 Olympics, Shreyasi achieved this milestone in 2024. She will undergo training with an international coach in Italy, with the Bihar government funding her training, accommodation, and travel expenses amounting to Rs 12.5 lakh.
Additionally, Shreyasi is eligible for a Rs 25 lakh scholarship under the Utkarsh Yojana, part of Bihar’s new sports scholarship policy. A BJP MLA from Jamui since 2020, Shreyasi is likely the first elected public representative in the country to compete in the Olympics.
Shreyasi has previously brought pride to Bihar and India by winning a silver medal in the double trap shooting event at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, a bronze medal in the 2014 Asian Games double trap team event, and a gold medal in the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The program commenced with Raveendran Sankaran and Indian Women’s Hockey Team Chief Coach Harendra Singh, originally from Bihar, honoring Shreyasi with a memento and a bouquet on behalf of the Sports Authority and the Sports Department.
