On the momentous occasion of India’s Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored the Indian athletes who represented the nation at the Paris Olympics. The event, held at the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi, was marked by a heartfelt interaction between PM Modi and the Olympic contingent, which concluded India’s campaign with a total of six medals.
The Indian men’s hockey team, which secured a bronze medal in Paris, presented a signed jersey to PM Modi as a token of gratitude. This gesture symbolized the team’s appreciation for the government’s unwavering support in their Olympic journey. The meeting was a celebration of India’s sporting spirit and the achievements of its athletes on the global stage.
Among the athletes present was Manu Bhaker, who made history by becoming the first Indian to win two medals at the same Olympics. Bhaker engaged in a conversation with the Prime Minister, discussing the pistol that earned her two bronze medals in the 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed events. The Prime Minister also interacted with other medalists, including Sarabjot Singh, Aman Sehrawat, and members of the Indian men’s hockey team, who made the nation proud with their stellar performances.
In his address to the athletes, PM Modi expressed his admiration for their dedication and resilience, stating, “My dear countrymen, today we have the youngsters who raised our tricolor at the Paris Olympics. I would like to congratulate all our athletes on behalf of 140 crore Indians. We will move ahead with new dreams and resolutions and achieve them with our constant efforts.” He also extended his best wishes to the para-athletes who will soon compete in the Paris Paralympics.
The event was attended by prominent figures, including Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and PT Usha, the head of the Indian Olympic Association. The gathering celebrated India’s success in Paris, even as the overall medal tally fell short of the expectations set by the previous Tokyo Olympics.
India concluded its Paris Olympics campaign with a total of six medals—five bronze and one silver—placing the nation 71st in the overall medal tally. While the results did not surpass the historic achievements of Tokyo, where India secured seven medals, the performance in Paris was marked by a series of near-misses. The contingent recorded six fourth-place finishes, highlighting the competitive spirit and potential of Indian athletes on the world stage.
One of the most heartbreaking moments came in the 10m Men’s Air Rifle final, where Arjun Babuta narrowly missed out on a bronze medal, finishing with 208.4 points. Despite these close calls, the performance of the Indian athletes was celebrated as a testament to their hard work and determination.
As the nation prepares for the upcoming Paralympics, PM Modi’s words of encouragement resonated with the athletes, inspiring them to aim for greater heights. The Independence Day event not only honored the achievements of the Olympians but also set the stage for future successes in Indian sports.
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