Read the passage and answer the following questions.
India’s association with the Olympics dates back to 1900, when Norman Pritchard, a British-Indian sportsperson, secured two silver medals in athletics. Yet, India’s first true team breakthrough arrived much later —at the 1928 Amsterdam Games —when the men’s hockey squad captured its maiden Olympic gold and announced India’s dominance on the world stage. Thereafter came a celebrated phase in which Indian men’s hockey ruled the Olympics, collecting eight gold medals from 1928 to 1980—an extraordinary record.
However, this brilliance did not translate into consistent overall success. After 1980, India experienced a striking medal lull, revealing deeper structural shortcomings such as weak infrastructure, insufficient training systems, and limited grassroots talent identification. Many athletes had to depend heavily on personal grit rather than organized support to reach global standards.
In recent decades, though, the story has shifted towards guarded hope. With initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and stronger corporate backing, athletes increasingly receive better coaching, nutrition planning, and mental-conditioning support. Medal counts remain moderate but have improved —highlighted by Neeraj Chopra’s landmark javelin gold at Tokyo 2020. Another encouraging development is the widening of India’s sporting footprint: progress is now visible across badminton, shooting, boxing, athletics, and more —not just hockey and wrestling.
Notably, Indian women athletes have also emerged as key contributors in recent Olympic performances. Even so, converting promise into podium finishes still demands sustained funding, scientific sports planning, and a culture that values multiple sports beyond cricket. India’s Olympic identity is still taking shape, but the ambition is unmistakable: to evolve from participation to true powerhouse status.
What does the passage suggest about India’s Olympic goals going forward?
Correct Answer :
They are rising, but require continuous long-term reforms
Solution :
Correct Answer: They are rising, but require continuous long-term reforms
Step-by-Step Explanation:
Step 1: Understand the Question
The question asks what the provided passage suggests regarding India's Olympic goals and ambition moving forward.
Step 2: Analyze the Relevant Details in the Passage
In the final paragraph of the text, the passage mentions:
"Even so, converting promise into podium finishes still demands sustained funding, scientific sports planning, and a culture that values multiple sports beyond cricket. India’s Olympic identity is still taking shape, but the ambition is unmistakable: to evolve from participation to true powerhouse status."
Step 3: Evaluate the Options
1. "They depend completely on overseas training support" - Incorrect. The text mentions internal improvements like TOPS, corporate backing, scientific sports planning, and culture changes, not a total dependence on overseas support.
2. "They are restricted to regular participation only" - Incorrect. The passage explicitly states that the ambition is "to evolve from participation to true powerhouse status."
3. "They are rising, but require continuous long-term reforms" - Correct. The passage points out growing ambition/hope while emphasizing that achieving true powerhouse status requires sustained funding, scientific sports planning, and systemic reforms.
4. "They remain focused mainly on traditional medal sports" - Incorrect. The passage highlights that progress is widening across badminton, shooting, boxing, athletics, and more—beyond just traditional sports like hockey and wrestling.
Conclusion:
Therefore, the passage clearly suggests that India's Olympic ambitions are rising, but achieving them requires continuous long-term reforms and support.
Access expert-curated educational resources and study materials—completely free.
Create, conduct, and manage professional online assessments with Mindyard. Perfect for teachers and institutes.
Copyright © 2026 Mindyard. All Rights Reserved.
