With just 26 days remaining until the Paris Olympics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his heartfelt wishes to the athletes who have qualified for this prestigious quadrennial event, emphasizing that "memories of the Tokyo Olympics are still vivid in our minds."
Speaking during the 'Mann Ki Baat' radio program on Sunday, PM Modi reflected on India's remarkable performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and expressed the nation's eagerness to support its athletes at the upcoming Paris Games.
"My dear countrymen, by this time next month, the Paris Olympics would have begun. I am sure that all of you would also be waiting to cheer for the Indian sportspersons in these Olympic Games. I wish the Indian team the very best for the Olympic Games. The memories of the Tokyo Olympics are still fresh in our minds," said the Prime Minister.
During Tokyo 2020, India sent its largest-ever contingent of 124 athletes to the Games, achieving its highest medal tally in a single Olympics, including Neeraj Chopra's historic gold medal in the men's javelin throw.
"The performance of our players in Tokyo had won the heart of every Indian. Right after the Tokyo Olympics, our athletes were whole-heartedly engaged in the preparations for the Paris Olympics. If we take all the players together, then all of them have participated in nearly nine hundred international competitions. This is a very big number," he added.
India has achieved several firsts in Olympic qualification for the Paris Games. For the first time, Indian shooters have secured quotas in every shooting category. Both men's and women's teams have qualified in table tennis for the first time. Additionally, India will make its debut in the Dressage event at the Olympics.
"Friends, in the Paris Olympics, you will get to witness certain things for the first time. In shooting, the talent of our players is coming to the fore. Both men’s and women’s teams have qualified in table tennis. Our shooter daughters are also part of the Indian shotgun team. This time, members of our team will compete in wrestling and horse riding in those categories as well, in which they had never participated before," said PM Modi.
The Prime Minister also recognized the achievements of para-athletes at the World Para Athletics Championship and lauded the success of Indian players in chess events.
"From this, you can make out that this time we will see a different level of excitement in sports. You might remember... a few months ago, we displayed our best performance in the World Para Athletics Championship. Our players have also won glorious laurels in chess and badminton.
"Now the whole country is hoping that our players perform well in the Olympics as well... win medals in these games and also win the hearts of the countrymen. In the coming days, I will also get an opportunity to meet the Indian team," said PM Modi.
"I will personally encourage them on behalf of all of you. And this time, our hashtag is #Cheer4Bharat. Through this hashtag, we must cheer for our athletes... continue to motivate them. So let's maintain this momentum... your enthusiasm will help showcase India's magic to the world," he concluded.
Over 100 Indian athletes have qualified for the Paris Games thus far, including a record-breaking 21 shooters.
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