New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said Paris Olympic-bound athletes have prepared themselves "life and soul" for the upcoming Games by collectively participating in nearly 900 international competitions, as he launched a campaign to generate Online support for the traveling contingent.
India won a record-breaking seven medals three years ago at the Tokyo Olympics and javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra became the country's first athlete to win gold in athletics.
The Prime Minister made these remarks in his radio address 'Mann Ki Baat', his first after the general elections. The radio broadcast had taken a hiatus in February on the eve of the general election.
"The performance of our athletes in Tokyo won the hearts of all Indians. Since the Tokyo Olympics, our athletes have been preparing with all their life and soul. Collectively, they have participated in around 900 international competitions," Modi said.
After drawing a blank in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo, this time all eyes would be on the shooters with a record 21-member team bound for Paris. Maheshwari Chauhan had secured India's 21st shot quota and will be seen in the women's skeet event at the Olympic shotgun competitions.
Modi also highlighted that the Paris Olympics will feature several firsts for Indian sports, including dressage and women's 76kg wrestling.
Anush Agarwalla will be the first Indian woman to participate in the dressage event at the Olympics, while Reetika Hooda has become the first Indian woman to make the Olympic cut in the women's heavyweight section.
"Both the men's and women's table tennis teams have qualified. Our shooters are also included in the Indian shotgun team," she said and urged people to use the hashtag 'cheer4Bharat' to motivate them.
"This time, our athletes will compete in categories of wrestling and equestrian events in which they have never participated before," Modi added.
The Paris Olympics are scheduled from July 26 to August 11 and so far more than 100 Indian athletes have qualified for the quadrennial meet.
India won a record-breaking seven medals three years ago at the Tokyo Olympics and javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra became the country's first athlete to win gold in athletics.
The Prime Minister made these remarks in his radio address 'Mann Ki Baat', his first after the general elections. The radio broadcast had taken a hiatus in February on the eve of the general election.
"The performance of our athletes in Tokyo won the hearts of all Indians. Since the Tokyo Olympics, our athletes have been preparing with all their life and soul. Collectively, they have participated in around 900 international competitions," Modi said.
After drawing a blank in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo, this time all eyes would be on the shooters with a record 21-member team bound for Paris. Maheshwari Chauhan had secured India's 21st shot quota and will be seen in the women's skeet event at the Olympic shotgun competitions.
Modi also highlighted that the Paris Olympics will feature several firsts for Indian sports, including dressage and women's 76kg wrestling.
Anush Agarwalla will be the first Indian woman to participate in the dressage event at the Olympics, while Reetika Hooda has become the first Indian woman to make the Olympic cut in the women's heavyweight section.
"Both the men's and women's table tennis teams have qualified. Our shooters are also included in the Indian shotgun team," she said and urged people to use the hashtag 'cheer4Bharat' to motivate them.
"This time, our athletes will compete in categories of wrestling and equestrian events in which they have never participated before," Modi added.
The Paris Olympics are scheduled from July 26 to August 11 and so far more than 100 Indian athletes have qualified for the quadrennial meet.
