PANAJI: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, felicitated the Team India medallists on arrival from Tokyo, in New Delhi on Monday. The Indian Olympic contingent recorded their best-ever performance winning seven medals from six sports disciplines with Neeraj Chopra providing the crowning glory on the final day with a historic gold medal in track and field competition.
Neeraj Chopra highlighted his thought process that fired up the 23-year-old from Panipat-Haryana to a spectacular gold medal display in javelin throw.
“I was world-ranked 4 and the competition was tough in Tokyo. Yet, I went in with a mindset of doing my best and not bothering about the competitors. When I hurled the javelin at the qualifying, I knew that this Olympics is my life’s big moment and I will not give up,” revealed Neeraj, advising the sportspersons to focus on producing their best rather than being worried about the field of competition.
Responding to Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur’s assertion of how the rural sportspersons have to overcome huge difficulties to make their dreams come true; Neeraj said: “Most of the athletes come from middle class and face certain problems. Most of the times, family can’t support their children with money, but let them play. Also there is a lack of facility in rural areas and the athletes have to work very work hard.”
Men’s hockey team captain Manpreet Singh thanked the authorities for great support and also hailed all medallists for bringing glory to the nation. He also declared that there won’t be much break and the boys will regroup soon as hockey World Cup, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games are scheduled for 2022.
Silver-medallist wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya revealed that he was inspired to become an Olympian medallist looking at the honour bestowed on double Olympic-medallist Sushil Kumar and 2012 bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt.
