India at the 2010 Winter Olympics

File:2010 Opening Ceremony - India entering.jpg in the opening ceremony]]

The Indian Olympic Association was recognized by the International Olympic Committee in 1927.{{cite web|url=https://www.olympic.org/india|title=India – National Olympic Committee (NOC)|work=International Olympic Committee|access-date=1 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326005433/https://www.olympic.org/india/|archive-date=26 March 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}} However, by this time, they had already competed in three Summer Olympic Games, in 1900, 1920, and 1924.{{cite web|url=https://www.olympedia.org/countries/IND|title=India at the Olympics|work=Olympedia|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=10 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010142456/http://www.olympedia.org/countries/IND|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/countries/IND/|title=India at the Olympics|work=Sports Reference|access-date=1 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108233500/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/countries/IND/|archive-date=8 January 2018|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} The nation made its first Winter Olympics appearance until the 1964 Winter Olympics held in Innsbruck, Austria.{{efn|name= Chamonix}} This edition of the Games marked the nation's eighth appearance at the Winter Olympics.{{cite web|url=https://olympics.com/en/news/india-winter-olympics-history-athletes-list-qualify|title=India at Winter Olympics - Jeremy Bujakowski to Arif Khan|work=Olympics.com|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=21 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721162720/https://olympics.com/en/news/india-winter-olympics-history-athletes-list-qualify|url-status=live}}

The Indian delegation consisted of chef de mission R. K. Gupta and three athletes.{{cite web|url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/list-of-indian-athletes-at-winter-olympics-1643986453-1|title=List of Indian athletes in Winter Olympics (1964-2022)|last=Javaid|first=Arfa|date=4 February 2022|work=Jagran Josh|access-date=1 January 2024|archive-date=26 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026113623/https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/list-of-indian-athletes-at-winter-olympics-1643986453-1|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/other-sports/story/mercury-rising-in-indian-contingent-at-winter-olympics-67394-2010-02-14|title=Mercury rising in Indian contingent at Winter Olympics|work=India Today|date=15 February 2010|access-date=1 June 2024}} Luger Shiva Keshavan was the country's flag-bearer during the opening ceremony.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/news/picture/india-at-the-winter-olympics-idINRTR2ASNQ/|title=India at the winter olympics|work=Reuters|date=24 February 2010|access-date=1 June 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report-shiva-keshavan-to-be-flag-bearer-of-2006-winter-olympics-in-turin-1346648|title=Shiva Keshavan to be flag-bearer of 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin|work=Daily News and Analysis|date=28 September 2017|access-date=1 June 2024|quote=In Vancouver, however, the luger could be spared of that humiliation. "I’ve been confirmed as the flag-bearer for Friday’s ceremony", Keshavan told|archive-date=28 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428110119/https://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report-shiva-keshavan-to-be-flag-bearer-of-2006-winter-olympics-in-turin-1346648|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Complete list of 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic flag-bearers|newspaper=The Vancouver Sun|date=12 February 2010|url=https://vancouversun.com/sports/Complete+list+2010+Vancouver+Winter+Olympic+flag+bearers/2558064/story.html |access-date=13 February 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216123527/http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Complete%2Blist%2B2010%2BVancouver%2BWinter%2BOlympic%2Bflag%2Bbearers/2558064/story.html|archive-date=16 February 2010}} Keshavan stated that the uniforms given to the athletes for the opening ceremony were of poor quality and sought Gupta's resignation citing his inability to satisfy the needs of the athletes. Following Keshavan's comments, the Indo-Canadian community in Vancouver donated money and procured uniforms for the Indian contingent. A local radio station raised US${{To USD|8000|CAN}} and a sports shop donated track suits for the opening ceremony.{{cite news|title=Indian Olympic team get donated uniforms in Vancouver|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8513201.stm|work=BBC News|date=12 February 2010|access-date=14 February 2010|archive-date=14 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214053544/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8513201.stm|url-status=live }}{{cite news| title=3-man Indian Olympic team gets donated uniforms|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/3-man-indian-olympic-team-gets-donated-uniforms-1.916327|work=CBC News|date=11 February 2010|access-date=14 February 2010|archive-date=4 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804142223/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/3-man-indian-olympic-team-gets-donated-uniforms-1.916327|url-status=live}} In addition to the aid from the Indian sports ministry, the athletes received aid from various private sponsors for participation in the Games.{{cite news|title=In India, Many Top Work on the Railroad|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/sports/olympics/10olympics.html|work=The New York Times|date=9 February 2010|access-date=14 February 2010|first=Elliot|last=Hannon|archive-date=25 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725101300/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/sports/olympics/10olympics.html|url-status=live}} Skier Tashi Lundup also served as the flag-bearer during the closing ceremony.{{cite report|url=http://www.olympic.org/Documents/Games_Vancouver_2010/ClosingCeremonyFlagbearers-eng.pdf|title=The flagbearers for the Vancouver 2010 closing ceremony|work=International Olympic Committee|date=28 February 2010|access-date=15 August 2012|archive-date=1 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401032223/http://www.olympic.org/Documents/Games_Vancouver_2010/ClosingCeremonyFlagbearers-eng.pdf|url-status=live}}

Three Indian athletes competed in the event – alpine skier Jamyang Namgial, cross country skier Tashi Lundup, and luger Shiva Keshavan.{{cite web|url=https://www.mykhel.com/more-sports/keshavan-jagdish-represent-india-pyeongchang-winter-olympics-080355.html|title=Keshavan, Jagdish to represent India in Pyeongchang Winter Olympics|date=2 February 2018|access-date=1 June 2024|work=mykhel}}

{{main article|Alpine skiing at the 2014 Winter Olympics – Qualification}}

The basic qualification mark for the alpine skiing events stipulated an average of less than 140 points in the list published by the International Ski Federation (FIS) as of 18 January 2010 for competitors ranked outside the top 100.{{cite web|url=http://www.fis-ski.com/data/document/qual-criteria-may-09.pdf|title=Qualification Systems for XXI Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver|work=International Ski Federation|access-date=6 December 2009|archive-date=17 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617081323/http://www.fis-ski.com/data/document/qual-criteria-may-09.pdf|url-status=live}}{{rp|page=1}} The quotas were allocated further based on athletes satisfying other criteria, with a maximum of 22 athletes (maximum of 14 male or 14 female athletes) from a single participating NOC with not more than four participants in a single event.{{rp|page=2}}

Indian skier Jamyang Namgial achieved the basic qualification mark to qualify for the Men's giant slalom event. He belonged to the Ladakh Scouts of the Indian Army and was part of the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) run by the Army.{{cite news|title=Life takes an Olympic turn for Leh's Jamyang and Tashi|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/life-takes-an-olympic-turn-for-leh-s-jamyang-and-tashi/story-orrXsGyEk0EEByArSpGdRM.html|date=23 January 2010|newspaper=Hindustan Times|access-date=14 December 2010|archive-date=26 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226214348/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/life-takes-an-olympic-turn-for-leh-s-jamyang-and-tashi/story-orrXsGyEk0EEByArSpGdRM.html|url-status=live}}

{{main|Alpine skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympics}}

The main event was held on 19 February 2010 at the Whistler Olympic Park and marked Namgial's first and only participation in the Winter Olympic Games.{{cite web|url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/dl/00/44/31/-/44312/prop=data/o1kl3j/44312.pdf|title=Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Competition Schedule v13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116005723/http://www.vancouver2010.com/dl/00/44/31/-/44312/prop=data/o1kl3j/44312.pdf|access-date=16 January 2010|archive-date=16 January 2010|url-status=dead|work=International Olympic Committee}}{{cite web|url=https://olympics.com/en/athletes/jamyang-namgial|title=Jamyang Namgial|work=Olympics.com|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=7 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207105418/https://olympics.com/en/athletes/jamyang-namgial|url-status=live}} Namgial completed his first run in 1:46.77. He took slightly longer to complete the course in the second run at 1:48.15. With a combined time of 3:34.92, he finished last amongst the classified finishers (81st among 89 competitors) in the overall classification.{{cite web|url=https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/vancouver-2010/results/alpine-skiing/giant-slalom-men|title=Alpine skiing Giant Slalom, Men|work=Olympics.com|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=9 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309212517/https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/vancouver-2010/results/alpine-skiing/giant-slalom-men|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-alpine-skiing/schedule-and-results/mens-giant-slalom-2nd-run_asm030102aY.html|title=Alpine skiing schedule and results|work=International Olympic Committee|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408202348/http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-alpine-skiing/schedule-and-results/mens-giant-slalom-2nd-run_asm030102aY.html|archive-date=8 April 2010|url-status=dead}}

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.{{rp|page=4}} 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 who satisfied the "B" standard of having a maximum of 300 distance points at the end of qualifying on 18 January 2010. 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.{{rp|page=5}}

Indian skier Tashi Ludup achieved the basic qualification mark to participate in the Men's 15 km classical distance event and was the first Indian to qualify for the cross country distance event. He also belonged to the Ladakh scouts of the Indian Army and was part of the HAWS.

{{main|Cross-country skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympics}}

The main event was held on 15 February 2010 at the Whistler Olympic Park and marked Lundup's first and only participation in the Winter Olympic Games.{{cite web|url=https://olympics.com/en/athletes/tashi-lundup|title=Tashi Lundup|work=Olympics.com|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=2 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102091619/https://olympics.com/en/athletes/tashi-lundup|url-status=live}} Lundup completed the {{cvt|15|km}} course in 41:36.8.{{cite web|url=http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/610.html?sector=CC&raceid=16235|date=15 February 2010|title= 2010 Winter Olympics Cross-country skiing men's 15 km freestyle results|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628202254/http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/610.html?sector=CC&raceid=16235|archive-date=28 June 2011|access-date=16 February 2010|work=International Ski Federation}}{{cite web|url=https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/vancouver-2010/results/cross-country-skiing/15km-men|title=Cross-country 15km classical, Men|work=Olympics.com|access-date=1 June 2024}} He finished the race in 83rd position (out of 96 competitors), more than eight minutes behind the winner Dario Cologna of Switzerland.

File:2017-12-01_Shiva_Keshavan_by_Sandro_Halank–02.jpg qualified for the luge event for the fourth successive games]]

The qualification was based on the cumulative world luge ranking points from 1 November 2009 to 31 December 2010 with a minimum requirement of having competed in five world cup events and having finished within the top 31 in any of the events. As per the qualification criteria, a maximum of 40 men were eligible for qualification. The top ranked athletes qualified directly with every nation limited to a maximum of three men. Further qualification spots were given to nations that had athletes who met the minimum standards and had not already qualified for the event.{{cite report|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01619/IOC_official_repor_1619339a.pdf|title=Official report on the accident of Georgian athlete Nodar Kumaritashvli|work=International Luge Federation|date=12 February 2010|access-date=10 November 2023|archive-date=27 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727053737/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01619/IOC_official_repor_1619339a.pdf|url-status=live}} Shiva Keshavan was the only Indian to qualify for the event.{{cite web|url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-luge-athletes/|title=Luge Athletes|access-date=1 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228211535/http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-luge-athletes/|archive-date=28 February 2010|url-status=dead|work=International Olympic Committee}} Keshavan had represented India since 1997 and was the youngest ever men's luge competitor at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, where he finished 28th. He was also the sole Indian athlete to compete at the 2002 Winter Olympics and further represented India in the 2006 games.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/news/in-from-the-cold-india-has-been-officially-excluded-from-the-sochi-winter-olympic-games-but-four-of-its-athletes-will-still-compete-9081510.html|title=In from the cold: India has been officially excluded from the Sochi Winter Olympic Games but four of its athletes will still compete|date=23 January 2014|access-date=1 June 2024|newspaper=The Independent}}

Keshavan received a funding of US$ 20,000 from the Indian sports ministry after being awarded a bronze medal at the Asian Championships. Although Keshavan had represented his country thrice before, this was the first time he received any government support. He also received funding from private sponsors and a {{INRconvert|0.45|m}} contribution from five Indian lawyers to purchase a new luge for the competition after his previous luge broke during training in November.

{{Main|Luge at the 2014 Winter Olympics}}

This was Kesavan's fourth consecutive appearance at the Winter Olympic Games since he made his debut at the 1998 Nagano Olympics.{{cite web|url=https://olympics.com/en/athletes/shiva-keshavan|title=Shiva Keshavan|work=Olympics.com|access-date=1 June 2024|archive-date=21 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721163226/https://olympics.com/en/athletes/shiva-keshavan|url-status=live}} The event was held on 13-14 February 2014 at the Whistler Sliding Centre. During training on 12 February 2010, Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili was killed when he crashed at the last turn and hit a steel pole when going over speeds of {{cvt|143|km/h}}.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/13/sports/olympics/13luge.html?hp=&pagewanted=print|title=Luge Athlete Killed in Training Crash at Olympics|work=New York Times|date=12 February 2010|access-date=12 February 2010|archive-date=23 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623084435/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/13/sports/olympics/13luge.html?hp=&pagewanted=print|url-status=live}} As a result, the start of the men's single competition was revised to reduce speed and the wall at corner where Kumaritashvili crashed was raised.{{cite news|url=http://www.ctvolympics.ca/news-centre/newsid=40313.html#officials+delay+reopening+olympic+sliding+track|title=Officials delay reopening of sliding track|work=CTV|date=13 February 2010|access-date=1 June 2010|archive-date=13 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100313001711/http://www.ctvolympics.ca/news-centre/newsid=40313.html#officials+delay+reopening+olympic+sliding+track|url-status=live}}

In his first run, Keshavan clocked a time of 49.561, finishing 1.33 behind the leader Felix Loch. In the second run, he had his best run, clocking 49.529 to be ranked 28th amongst the 39 participants. In the penultimate run, he completed the circuit with a time of 49.786 to be ranked 29th. In the final attempt, he clocked 49.786 to finish with a total time of 3:18.473 and was classified in the 29th position out of the 39 athletes.{{cite web|url=http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-luge/schedule-and-results/mens-singles-run-1_lgm010101mA.html|title=Luge at the 2010 Winter Olympics - Men's Singles|work=International Olympic Committee|access-date=1 June 2011|date=14 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100228211220/http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-luge/schedule-and-results/mens-singles-run-1_lgm010101mA.html|archive-date=28 February 2010|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.olympedia.org/results/924220|title=Luge Singles, Men|work=Olympedia|access-date=1 June 2024}}

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{{Nations at the 2010 Winter Olympics}}

Category:Nations at the 2010 Winter Olympics

2010

Category:2010 in Indian sport