Indian pistol shooter Manu Bhaker, who recently won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympic Games, has faced off-field challenges involving the unauthorized use of her images by various brands.
Bhaker's management team has issued legal notices to several companies that used her photos in social media advertisements congratulating her on her achievements, despite not having any formal association with her.
Neerav Tomar, Managing Director of IOS Sports & Entertainment, which represents Bhaker, revealed that nearly two dozen brands engaged in unauthorized "moment marketing" by using her images without permission.
This issue is not unique to Bhaker, as other Indian athletes who participated in the Paris Games have encountered similar problems with brands they are not affiliated with.
Baseline Ventures, representing athletes like boxer Nikhat Zareen and badminton players Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, has warned that legal action will be taken against brands that use athletes' images without authorization.
Manu Bhaker made history at the Paris Games, becoming the first post-independent Indian athlete to win two individual medals in a single Olympics since British-Indian Norman Pritchard's silver medals in 1900. Her achievements, including a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol individual event and another in the 10m air pistol mixed team event alongside Sarabjot, have elevated India to joint 28th in the medal standings with Moldova.
Bhaker's journey in the Paris Games is a testament to her resilience, overcoming a disappointing Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020, where technical issues with her equipment hindered her performance. She continues to strive for success, with another opportunity for a podium finish in the 25m sports pistol event, for which qualifications are scheduled for August 2.