India at the 2018 Winter Olympics explained

Noc:IND
Nocname:Indian Olympic Association
Games:Winter Olympics
Year:2018
Flagcaption:Flag of India
Location:Pyeongchang, South Korea
Date:9–25 February 2018
Competitors:2
Competitors Men:2
Sports:2
Flagbearer Open:Shiva Keshavan
Flagbearer Close:Volunteer
Gold:0
Silver:0
Bronze:0
Appearances:auto
App Begin Year:1964

India participated at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, held between 9 and 25 February 2018. The country's participation in Pyeongchang marked its tenth appearance at the Winter Olympics since its debut in 1964.

The Indian team consisted of alpine skier Jagadish Singh and luger Shiva Keshavan, who was the country's flag-bearer during the opening ceremony. Both of them did not win a medal, and as of these Games, India had not earned a Winter Olympic medal. A volunteer served as the flag-bearer during the closing ceremony.

Background

The Indian Olympic Association was recognized by the International Olympic Committee in 1927.[1] However, by this time, they had already competed in three Summer Olympic Games, in 1900, 1920, and 1924. The nation made its first Winter Olympics appearance at the 1964 Winter Olympics held in Innsbruck, Austria.[2] This edition of the Games marked the nation's tenth appearance at the Winter Olympics.[3] [4]

The 2018 Winter Olympics were held in Pyeongchang, South Korea between 9 and 25 February 2018.[5] The Indian delegation consisted of six members which included chef de mission Harjinder Singh and two athletes, alpine skier Jagadish Singh and luger Shiva Keshavan.[6] [7] There was a conflict between the Indian Olympic Association and Singh's employer Indian Army as to who would accompany him to the Games, which resulted in a travel delay.[8] On 9 February, Singh traveled to Pyeongchang along with his coach, Olympic-skier Nadeem Iqbal.[9] [10]

Keshavan was the country's flag-bearer during the opening ceremony.[11] [6] A volunteer served as the flag-bearer during the closing ceremony.[12] [13] India did not win a medal, and as of these Games, had not earned a Winter Olympic medal.[14]

Competitors

width=130Sport !width=60Men !width=60Women !width=60Total
Cross-country skiing1 0 1
Luge1 0 1
Total 2 0 2

Cross-country skiing

Qualification

See main article: Cross-country skiing at the 2018 Winter Olympics – Qualification.

As per the "A" standard, athletes with a maximum of 100 distance points were allowed to compete in both the sprint and distance events. Athletes with a maximum of 120 sprint points were allowed to compete in the sprint event. They were also allowed to compete in the distance event provided that their distance points did not exceed 300. NOCs which did not have any athlete meeting the "A" standard were allowed to enter one competitor of each sex (known as the basic quota) in the sprint event or the distance event provided that they satisfied the "B" standard of having a maximum of 300 distance points at the end of qualifying on 20 January 2014. A maximum of 20 athletes (maximum of 12 male or 12 female athletes) from a single participating NOC were allowed to compete and the remaining quotas were allocated further to athletes satisfying the "B" standard criteria from other NOCs.[15]

Indian skier Jagadish Singh achieved the basic qualification mark to participate in the men's 15 km classical distance event at a qualifying event held at Finland in 2017.[16] [17] As per the final quota allocation released on 20 January 2014, India was allocated one place for the distance event under the basic quota.[18] Singh hailed from the Indian state of Uttarakhand. He was part of the Indian Army and trained at the High Altitude Warfare School at Gulmarg.[19] For participation in the main event, Singh did not have adequate funding from the Government of India and had to be sponsored by the Indian Army apart from spending from his own pocket to procure sporting gear and equipment.[10]

Main event

See main article: Cross-country skiing at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

The main event was held on 16 February 2018 at the Alpensia Cross-Country Skiing Centre and marked Singh's first and only participation at the Winter Olympic Games.[20] Singh completed the course in 43:00.3.[21] [22] He finished the race in 99th position (out of 119 competitors), more than nine minutes behind the winner, Dario Cologna of Switzerland.[21]

Luge

Qualification

See main article: article and Luge at the 2018 Winter Olympics – Qualification.

As per the qualification criteria, a maximum of 40 men were eligible for qualification with a maximum of three per nation. The qualification was based on the cumulative world ranking points from 1 July 2016 to 31 December 2017. The top ranked 37 athletes qualified directly and eight athletes were later added with first preference given to qualified relay teams who did not qualify individuals in all three disciplines followed by athletes from NOCs that met the minimum standards and who had not already qualified any athlete.[23]

Shiva Keshavan qualified in men's singles by being ranked 31st in the qualification standings.[24] [17] Keshavan hailed from Manali in Himachal Pradesh and had represented India since 1997. He was the youngest ever men's luge competitor at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, where he finished 28th.[19] [25] This was Kesavan's sixth consecutive appearance at the Winter Olympic Games as he was also the sole Indian athlete to compete at the 2002 Winter Olympics and further represented India in the 2006, 2010, and 2014 Games.[26] [27]

Main event

See main article: Luge at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

The event was held from 10 to 11 February 2018 at the Alpensia Sliding Centre .[28] This was Keshavan's final Olympics appearance as an athlete.[29] [30] In his first run, he clocked a time of 50.578, finishing 2.926 seconds behind the leader David Gleirscher. He had his best run in the second attempt where he clocked 48.710 to be ranked 31st amongst the 40 participants. However, he completed the circuit in 48.900 in the penultimate run to be ranked 30th and was eliminated. He clocked a total time of 2:28.188 and was classified in the 34th position out of the 40 athletes in the final rankings.[28] [31] [32]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: India – National Olympic Committee (NOC). International Olympic Committee. 1 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20180326005433/https://www.olympic.org/india/. 26 March 2018. live. dmy-all.
  2. Web site: India. Sports Reference. 1 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20180108233500/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/countries/IND/. 8 January 2018. dead. dmy-all.
  3. Web site: India at Winter Olympics - Jeremy Bujakowski to Arif Khan. Olympics.com. 1 June 2024. 21 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240721162720/https://olympics.com/en/news/india-winter-olympics-history-athletes-list-qualify. live.
  4. Web site: India at the Olympics. Olympedia. 1 June 2024. 10 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231010142456/http://www.olympedia.org/countries/IND. live.
  5. Web site: PyeongChang 2018 Schedule. pyeongchang2018.com. 3 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20171105010048/https://www.pyeongchang2018.com/en/schedule. 5 November 2017. dead.
  6. News: Winter Olympics 2018: Flag-Bearer Shiva Keshavan Leads Indian Contingent In Pyeongchang. 9 February 2018. 1 June 2024. NDTV. 25 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240725082715/https://sports.ndtv.com/othersports/winter-olympics-2018-flag-bearer-shiva-keshavan-leads-indian-contingent-in-pyeongchang-1810875. live.
  7. News: Beijing Winter Olympics: Harjinder Singh appointed as India’s Chef de Mission. 21 December 2021. 1 June 2024. The Indian Express.
  8. News: Indian skier Jagdish Singh's Olympic dream in balance as officials fight to accompany him. 1 February 2018. 1 June 2024. ESPN. 24 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240724235833/https://www.espn.in/olympics/skiing/story/_/id/22285313/indian-skier-jagdish-singh-olympic-dream-balance-officials-fight-accompany-him. live.
  9. News: In pole position: Jagdish Singh's Olympic dream no longer on ice. 15 February 2018. 1 June 2024. ESPN. 4 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210804111741/https://www.espn.in/olympics/skiing/story/_/id/22333720/indian-skier-jagdish-singh-solitary-pursuit-snow. live.
  10. Web site: No India kit, no federation support: It's a wonder Jagdish Singh is even at the Winter Olympics. 15 February 2018. Scroll. 1 June 2024. 12 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240712031321/https://scroll.in/field/868828/no-india-logo-no-federation-support-its-a-wonder-jagdish-singh-is-even-at-the-winter-olympics. live.
  11. Web site: Opening Ceremony Flagbearers - Olympic Winter Games, PyeongChang 2018. 9 February 2018. International Olympic Committee. 10 February 2018. 8 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220208225945/https://stillmed.olympic.org/media/Document%20Library/OlympicOrg/Games/Winter-Games/Games-PyeongChang-2018-Winter-Olympic-Games/Ceremonies/PyeongChang-2018-Opening-Ceremony-Flagbearers.pdf#_ga=2.141341425.2132925313.1518270684-1570468165.1518270684. live.
  12. Web site: Closing Ceremony Flagbearers - Olympic Winter Games, PyeongChang 2018. International Olympic Committee. 26 February 2018. 25 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180225122818/https://stillmed.olympic.org/media/Document%20Library/OlympicOrg/Games/Winter-Games/Games-PyeongChang-2018-Winter-Olympic-Games/Ceremonies/PyeongChang-2018-Closing-Ceremony-Flag-Bearers.pdf#_ga=2.113408207.917758768.1519568732-1155673656.1518304175. live.
  13. News: The Flagbearers for the PyeongChang 2018 Closing Ceremony. 25 February 2018. International Olympic Committee. 25 June 2024. 15 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180615214938/https://www.olympic.org/news/the-flagbearers-for-the-pyeongchang-2018-closing-ceremony. live.
  14. Web site: India at the Olympics. Olympedia. 1 June 2024. 10 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231010142456/http://www.olympedia.org/countries/IND. live.
  15. Web site: Qualification Systems for XXIII Olympic Winter Games, PyeongChang. International Ski Federation. 6 December 2017. 20 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180220072842/https://data.fis-ski.com/media/olympic-games/2018/english-qs/owg-pyeongchang-2018-qualification-system-cross-country-skiing.pdf. live.
  16. Web site: Meet Jagdish Singh, a first-time Winter Olympian from India. 10 February 2018. 1 June 2024. mykhel. 24 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240724235825/https://www.mykhel.com/more-sports/winter-olympics-meet-jagdish-singh-a-first-time-winter-olympian-from-india-080981.html. live.
  17. News: Shiva Keshavan, Jagdish Singh To Represent India In Winter Olympics. 2 February 2019. 1 June 2024. NDTV. 24 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240724235827/https://sports.ndtv.com/othersports/shiva-keshavan-jagdish-singh-to-represent-india-in-winter-olympics-1807988. live.
  18. Web site: Olympic quota list. 6 December 2017. International Ski Federation. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051351/https://data.fis-ski.com/dynamic/olympic-quotas-list.html?sectorcode=CC&listid=2018. 22 December 2017. dead.
  19. News: 2018 Winter Olympics: All You Need to Know About Two Indian Participants – Shiva Keshavan, Jagdish Singh. 8 February 2018. 1 June 2014. India.com. 24 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240724235830/https://www.india.com/sports/2018-winter-olympics-all-you-need-to-know-about-two-indian-participants-shiva-keshavan-jagdish-singh-2885082/. live.
  20. Web site: Jagdish Singh. Olympics.com. 1 June 2024. 18 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220518003525/https://olympics.com/en/athletes/jagdish-singh. live.
  21. Web site: Final Results - Men's 15km classical. 1 June 2018. 16 February 2018. International Ski Federation. 24 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240724235833/http://data.fis-ski.com/pdf/2018/CC/2158/2018CC2158RL.pdf. live.
  22. Web site: Cross-country 15km classical, Men. Olympedia. 1 June 2024. 7 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221207052359/https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/pyeongchang-2018/results/cross-country-skiing/mens-15km-free. live.
  23. Web site: Qualification Systems for Luge, Pyeongchang 2018. International Luge Federation. 13 November 2017. 10 November 2018. 14 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171114093006/http://www.fil-luge.org/cdn/uploads/2017-01-26-pyeongchang-2018-qualification-system-luge-v3.pdf. dead.
  24. Web site: Ranking List, Pyeongchang 2018. International Luge Federation (FIL). 13 November 2017. 2 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180102073659/http://www.fil-luge.org/cdn/uploads/rankinglist-luge-pyeongchang2018-2.pdf. live.
  25. News: In from the cold: India has been officially excluded from the Sochi Winter Olympic Games but four of its athletes will still compete. 23 January 2014. 1 June 2024. The Independent.
  26. Web site: Shiva Keshavan. Olympics.com. 1 June 2024. 21 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240721163226/https://olympics.com/en/athletes/shiva-keshavan. live.
  27. News: Indian luger Shiva Keshavan set for 6th Olympics. Associated Press. 15 December 2017. 26 December 2017. 25 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180125001521/http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/indian-luger-shiva-keshavan-set-6th-olympics. dead.
  28. Luge at the 2018 Winter Olympics - Men's Singles. International Olympic Committee. 1 June 2024. 25 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240725082714/https://www.fil-luge.org/cdn/uploads/lugmsingles-c73b2-1-0.pdf. live.
  29. News: Bhatt. Gaurav. 14 January 2018. Shiva Keshavan: India's lion in winter. The Indian Express. 14 January 2018. 14 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180114183756/http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/shiva-keshavan-indias-lion-in-winter-olympics-2018-5023498/. live.
  30. News: Shiva Keshavan ends his sixth olympics in 34th spot. 11 February 2018. 1 June 2024. Sportstar. 25 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240725082716/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/other-sports/shiva-keshavan-ends-his-sixth-olympics-in-34th-spot/article22722554.ece. live.
  31. Web site: Luge Singles, Men. Olympedia. 1 June 2024. 28 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220928063614/https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/pyeongchang-2018/results/luge/mens-singles. live.
  32. News: Luger Shiva Keshavan finishes 34th in final run of his career. 11 February 2018. 1 June 2024. India Today. 12 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230612115913/https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/other-sports/story/2018-winter-olympics-luger-shiva-keshavan-finishes-34th-in-final-run-of-his-career-1167465-2018-02-11. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "India at the 2018 Winter Olympics".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.