Indian shooters have so far clinched three medals at Paris 2024. Manu Bhaker opened India's medal tally by finishing third in the women's individual 10m Air pistol event. Following that, Sarabjot Singh and Bhaker won the bronze medal in the 10m air pistol (mixed team) event, and Swapnil Kusale took home the bronze medal in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions shooting event.
By winning three medals in the first six days of the Games, India's shooting contingent achieved its best-ever performance in a single edition of the Olympics. Hundreds of passionate supporters, donning blue jerseys and waving the tri-color, and Indian journalists covering the Games, cheered and whistled as they made history and etched India's name proudly in the annals of the Olympics.
Amid all the noise and excitement at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre, there were two Malayalis who quietly performed their duties. They are Yasin Mohammed, a native of Karinkallathani in Malappuram district, and Shijin Shaji, who hails from Pavumba south in Kollam district. Both of them are students. They are contract workers with the Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), which is responsible for supplying the international television and radio signals of the Games to all broadcasters holding the broadcasting rights.
Yasin, son of Pulakkal Mohammed and Saleena, is doing an MBA programme in digital marketing at a Paris-based institution. Shijin, son of Shaji George and Shiny of Shaji Bhavan, is pursuing a postgraduate degree in international business.
As they were keen to contribute to the Olympic Games, both of them applied for positions that matched their skills via the Olympic Organisation Committee's recruitment page. The recruitment procedure was a lengthy process, involving several stages. After they cleared all the interview rounds, Yasin and Shijin were placed at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre. The contract is for a period of one-and-a-half months. Their colleges are currently closed for summer vacation.
Since they are part of the official team for the Olympics, Yasin and Shijin cannot openly support the Indian team or cheer for the athletes. However, they are proud and happy to have witnessed the medal-winning performances of the Indian shooters at close quarters.
Their job includes arranging the shooting range in accordance with a day's competition schedule and helping out the OBS team in clearing the infrastructural hurdles that pose challenges to live broadcasting.
Amid their busy schedule, Yasin and Shijin have been following the Indian shooters keenly while silently wishing them good luck.
