Shooting stars Manu Bhaker’s two and Swapnil Kusale’s one bronze. Apart from those, there are only stories of failed chances for India in Paris.

Prakash Padukone, advisor to the Indian badminton squad, said the players would have to take the responsibility. Padukone, along with coach Vimal Kumar, was at Lakshya Sen’s corner throughout the Olympic Games.

“We had Milkha Singh fourth in 1960 Rome and then PT Usha in 1984 Los Angeles. And now we have so many fourth finishes. Yes, it’s a work in progress and we are in the right direction but I am not happy with the pace. The players will have to be accountable and take responsibility,” he said.

“At least in Paris and Tokyo players got all the support. You cannot hold the federations and the government responsible for the debacle. The government, the federations, the academies and foundations can provide you with all the facilities but athletes have to deliver when it matters most,” Padukone, who worked with both PV Sindhu and Lakshya, said.

“They beat the same players in some other tournaments, but when it comes to the Olympics we just falter. Players need to introspect. They just cannot keep asking for more and more and more.

“They need to ask themselves ‘Am I doing enough?’ Maybe they are not working hard enough to win a medal in the Olympics. I do not think any of the other countries including the US give so many facilities. Let’s be frank.”