Why is India Below Pakistan in 2024 Paris Olympics Medal Tally Despite More Podium Finishes?

On the midnight of Thursday, August 8, Neeraj Chopra, the reigning world champion and Olympic gold medalist from Tokyo 2020, clinched the silver medal in the men's javelin throw final at the 2024 Paris Olympics. In a fiercely contested event, Chopra fell just short of defending his Olympic title, losing to Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, who secured the gold medal. 

Neeraj Chopra registered a massive throw of 89.45m in his second attempt that clinched him the silver. This was also his season best throw. Arshad Nadeem, on the other hand, broke the Olympic record with his throw of 92.97m. 

This unexpected turn of events not only ended Neeraj Chopra's reign as Olympic champion but also had a surprising impact on the overall 2024 Paris Olympics medals tally.

Despite India securing a total of five medals, four bronze and one silver, at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympics, the country finds itself trailing Pakistan in the medals tally. Pakistan, with just one medal to its name, currently ranks higher than India, which has left many Indian fans puzzled.

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The Olympic Medal Ranking System

The reason behind this surprising ranking lies in the Olympic medal ranking system, which places a higher value on gold medals compared to other medals. According to Olympic rules, the medals table is ordered primarily by the number of gold medals won by each country. 

If two or more countries have the same number of gold medals, the number of silver medals is considered next, followed by the number of bronze medals. This system emphasizes the quality of a medal rather than the quantity.

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Pakistan's sole gold medal, won by Arshad Nadeem in the men's javelin throw, has propelled them to 53rd place in the medals tally, while India, with its four bronze medals and one silver, is ranked 64th. This stark difference in rankings, despite India having more overall medals, underscores the significance of winning gold in the Olympics.

Neeraj Chopra’s silver medal is an incredible achievement, particularly given the high expectations placed upon him following his historic gold medal at Tokyo 2020.