TEHRAN - Despite a slight decrease in the number of athletes compared to the Tokyo Olympics, Iran's contingent is still set to make its mark at the 2024 Paris Games with 40 qualified athletes across 13 sports. Among them are fresh faces and young talents who could emerge as the breakout stars of this edition.

The 2024 Summer Olympics will kick off on July 26 and end on Aug. 11.

Athletes from more than 200 countries across the globe will attend the 2024 Summer Olympics in France's capital city.

Decreased quotas:

• 65 athletes at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
• 63 athletes at the 2016 Rio Olympics
• 53 athletes at the 2012 London Olympics
• 55 athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics
• 38 athletes at the 2004 Athens Olympics
• 35 athletes at the 2000 Sydney Olympics

Youngest in history:

• Mohammad Beyranvand (15 years old): Pistol shooter who became the youngest Olympic athlete in Iran's history after securing his qualification
• Fatemeh Amini (23 years old): Air rifle shooter who earned Iran's first-ever Olympic quota in women's air rifle shooting.

History makers:

• Mehdi Olfati: Iran's first gymnast to compete at the Olympics
• Samyar Abdoli: swimmer with a universality quota who broke the 100m freestyle record at the German championships.

Other potential stars:

Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, archery, taekwondo, fencing, rowing, gymnastics, table tennis, cycling, sport climbing, swimming, and athletics

Iran ranks 9th in Asia:

• 1773 athletes from 44 Asian countries will participate in the Paris Olympics.
• Japan leads with 432 athletes, followed by China with 400.
• Saudi Arabia will send 10 athletes to the Games.

Games begin on July 26th:

• The opening ceremony will be held on July 26th on the Seine River.
• Neda Shahsavari and Mahdi Olfati will carry Iran’s flag at the Opening Ceremony.

Hopes for glory:

Despite the reduced number of quotas, there are still hopes for medals in sports like wrestling, taekwondo, and shooting. The presence of young and motivated athletes could be a sign of a bright future for Iranian sports.

The support of the people and authorities for the athletes will be a key factor in their success at this major sporting event.