Why South Asia's largest populations send so few athletes to Olympics

As the 2024 Paris Olympics approach, South Asian nations with some of the world's largest populations continue to struggle with fielding proportionate contingents, highlighting ongoing challenges in sports development across the region.

Pakistan, with a population of about 245 million, and Bangladesh, home to roughly 174 million people, have sent contingents of 7 and 5 athletes, respectively, to Paris.

This continues their trend of underrepresentation at the Olympic Games.

India, with a population of approximately 1.44 billion, has qualified only two swimmers for the Paris Games through universality places, a step back from their historic direct qualifications in the previous Olympics.

Srihari Nataraj will compete in the 100m backstroke, while 14-year-old Dhinidhi Desinghu will participate in the 200m freestyle.

Bangladesh, notably, holds the distinction of being the most populous country never to have won an Olympic medal.

The nation has participated in every Summer Olympics since 1984 but has consistently struggled to field competitive athletes.

Pakistan's 240 million people, 7 athletes...

An 18-member Pakistani contingent arrived in France for the 2024 Olympic Games.

Despite the grandeur of the opening ceremony on Friday, a commentator's remark sparked outrage among Pakistani journalists and citizens on social media.

The irony wasn't lost when the commentator noted, "Pakistan is a country of over 240 million people, but only 7 athletes are competing at the Olympics."

The comment, which circulated widely online, left many Pakistanis feeling disappointed and embarrassed.

Journalists shared clips of the opening ceremony, amplifying the sense of frustration and shame.

Among the seven athletes representing Pakistan, the most prominent name is javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, the nation's only gold-medal hopeful.

The team also includes shooters Ghulam Mustafa Bashir (25m Rapid Fire Pistol), Gulfam Joseph (10m Air Pistol, 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team), and Kishmala Talat (10m Air Pistol, 25m Pistol, 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team).

In addition, there are some wildcard entries: Faiqa Riaz (Universality Place, 100m race), Mohammad Ahmed Durrani (200m Freestyle, Universality Place), and Jahanara Nabi (200m Freestyle, Universality Place).