PM Modi meets Paris Olympics Indian contingent on Independence Day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the Indian Olympic contingent on India's 78th Independence Day, following the recently-concluded 2024 Paris Olympics. The meeting was held at his residence after the official Independence Day ceremony. All 117 athletes who represented India in the Paris Olympics were present at this gathering. Notably, India claimed recorded six medals at the Paris Games, including five bronze and one silver. Here are further details.
PM Modi lauds athletes
PM Modi commended the performances of Indian athletes. The Prime Minister also received an Indian Olympic jersey signed by all members of the Indian hockey team and a special hockey stick. Manu Bhaker, who made headlines with multiple medals at the Paris Games, presented PM Modi with a designed air pistol. Indian wrestler Aman Sehrawat also gifted him a signed jersey. The meeting was an opportunity for the athletes to personally interact with the Prime Minister.
Neeraj Chopra misses ceremony
Star Indian javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra, chose to forego the Independence Day celebrations and the felicitation ceremony. Chopra, who won the silver medal at the Paris Olympics, has already relocated to Lausanne, Switzerland to take prepare for the Diamond League event.
India's medalists at Paris Games
The 2024 Paris Olympics Indian contingent, which comprised of 117 athletes, recorded six medals. This is now India's joint second-best medal haul at the Olympics, with the 2012 London Games. Notably, India won seven medals the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. India's medalists at Paris Games: Manu Bhaker (two bronze, shooting), Sarabjot Singh (bronze, shooting), Swapnil Kusale (bronze, shooting), Team India (bronze, hockey), Neeraj Chopra (silver, men's javelin throw), and Aman Sehrawat (bronze, men's wrestling).
PM Modi's interaction and support for athletes
PM Modi had a conversation with the Indian contingent, including shuttler Lakshya Sen. He had previously spoken to the Indian medalists over the phone immediately after their victories in Paris. The Prime Minister also expressed his support for athletes who narrowly missed out on winning medals. Tokyo Olympics medalists Lovlina Borgohain (boxing) and Mirabai Chanu (weightlifting) were among those who met him during this gathering.
Notable records scripted by Team India
Manu became India's first-ever female shooter with an Olympic medal. She also became India's first-ever athlete with multiple medals at an Olympics post independence. The India men's hockey team won consecutive Olympic medals for the first time since 1972. Chopra won a second individual Olympic medal in athletics. Swapnil Kusale, who bagged bronze, became the first Indian shooter to reach an Olympic final.
India's Olympic hosting aspirations
Earlier, the Paris 2024 Indian contingent attended the Red Fort event, where PM Modi addressed the nation on Independence Day. He acknowledged India's aspiration to host the 2036 Olympics, during his Independence Day speech. PM Modi stated that preparations for this ambitious goal are already in progress. "It is the dream of India to host the 2036 Olympics, we are making preparations for that," PM Modi stated during his address from Red Fort.
