The Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics broke tradition by taking place outside a stadium, featuring a Parade of the Nations along the Seine River. Despite the innovative approach, PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and former Olympian, expressed disappointment that the event did not emphasize athletes enough.

"While the ceremony was unique and impressive, it should have focused more on the athletes," Usha told IANS. "This is their event, and they should have been given more prominence. They were only highlighted for a few seconds."

Usha, known for her remarkable achievements including six medals at the 1985 Asian Championships and multiple golds in ATF competitions, noted that her Olympic career was marked by a lack of exposure and experience. Her closest Olympic success came in the 1984 Los Angeles Games, where she narrowly missed a bronze medal in the 400m hurdles.

Reflecting on her career, Usha attributed her failure to win an Olympic medal to limited international exposure. "If I had participated in more international races, I believe I would have won a medal. Today, athletes benefit from better facilities and opportunities," she said.

Usha acknowledged the significant progress made in Indian sports, citing the government's increased investment as a key factor. She highlighted India's best-ever performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where the country won seven medals, including a historic gold by Neeraj Chopra in men's javelin throw.

Looking ahead, Usha expressed optimism about future performances, driven by the continued support and resources available to athletes.