As the Paris Olympics approach, veteran Indian archer Tarundeep Rai, 40, faces what he describes as a "now-or-never situation."
This Games will mark Rai's fourth Olympic appearance, a milestone that adds an emotional edge to his quest for a maiden medal.
Rai, who has long been a fixture in Indian archery, has amassed an impressive collection of accolades across global and continental championships.
His resume includes two silver medals at the World Championships (2005, 2019), nine World Cup medals with three golds, as well as a silver and bronze from the Asian Games and two silvers and a bronze from the Asian Championships.
Despite these successes, an Olympic medal has eluded him.
"It's emotional every day," Rai reflected. "This is my fourth attempt, and for me, it's a now-or-never situation. I tell my teammates to approach it with the same urgency. Even if it's someone's first or second Olympics, they should act as if it's their last," he said.
Rai's Olympic journey began in Athens in 2004, followed by London in 2012, and Tokyo in 2021. His performance in Athens saw him exit in the first round, while in London and Tokyo, he was eliminated in the second round.
The Tokyo Games saw his team reach the quarterfinals, but Rai’s personal Olympic quest has yet to culminate in a podium finish.
"Competing at the Olympics is a dream for everyone, including myself," Rai said.
"The preparation required is intense, and sometimes you work so hard that your sweat feels like it's turning red. I’m returning to the Olympics after a three-year gap, which is a positive sign. I’ve made changes since Tokyo and aim to rectify past shortcomings. I will give my best," he added.
Indian archers have been regular participants in the Olympics since 1988, but they are still chasing their first medal. Rai and his compatriots are keenly aware of the high expectations and the narrow margins that have often led to disappointment in the past.
"We've always had the potential to win, but have fallen short due to small margins. This time, we've controlled those factors better—coaches, management, and players' mentality are all aligned," Rai noted.
For the first time since London 2012, India will field a full six-member archery squad in Paris, having qualified both men’s and women’s teams based on rankings.
This means they will compete in all five events. Rai sees this as a significant opportunity to break the medal drought.
Rai missed the Hangzhou Asian Games last year, an experience he describes as a wake-up call.
"Not qualifying for the Asian Games was a realisation period for me. It made me aware of my weaknesses and what I needed to address. I took it positively and worked hard to overcome those issues," he added.
In addition to his athletic career, Rai is dedicated to fostering the next generation of archers. He has established an academy in Sikkim, aiming to pass on his extensive knowledge and experience.
"Whether coaching or not, I believe it's crucial to give back to the sport. We’ve lacked a proper transfer of technique and experience. Senior archers need to return and fill this gap," Rai said.
Rai’s vision extends to the broader structure of Indian archery. He advocates for greater utilization of experienced archers in coaching roles and urges the Archery Association of India to consider this.
"My 28 years of experience should not go to waste. We need to ensure that the next generation benefits from the expertise of seasoned archers. It’s about contributing to Indian archery's future," he concluded.
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