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Modi highlights several firsts by athletes, hails Olympic preparations in his ‘Mann ki Baat’

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the athletes bound for the Paris Olympics have prepared themselves with “life and soul” for the upcoming Games by collectively participating in nearly 900 international events. He launched a campaign to generate online support for the travelling contingent.

India won a best-ever seven medals at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, with javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra becoming the first athlete from the country to win gold in athletics.

The Prime Minister made these statements in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio address, the first after the general elections. The radio broadcast had taken a break in February, ahead of the general election.

“The performance of our athletes in Tokyo won the hearts of every Indian. Since the Tokyo Olympics, our athletes have been preparing with all their lives and souls. Together they have participated in around 900 international competitions,” Modi said.

After failing to achieve anything in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo, this time all eyes would be on the gunmen heading to Paris with a record 21 members. Maheshwari Chauhan had secured India’s 21st shooting quota and will feature in the women’s skeet event at the Olympic shotgun trials.

Modi also emphasized that the Paris Olympics will bring a number of firsts for Indian sports, including equestrian dressage and women’s wrestling up to 76 kg.

Anush Agarwalla will be India’s first ever entry into the dressage event at the Olympics, while Reetika Hooda will be the first Indian woman to make it to the Olympics in the women’s heavyweight section.

“Both the men’s and women’s table tennis teams have qualified. Our women shooters have also been included in the Indian shotgun team,” he said, urging people to use the hashtag ‘cheer4Bharat’ to motivate them.

“This time our athletes will compete in categories in wrestling and equestrian sports in which they have never participated before,” Modi added.

The Paris Olympics are taking place from July 26 to August 11 and more than 100 Indian athletes have qualified so far for the quadrennial spectacle.

Published June 30, 2024, 11:08 IST

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