New Delhi: Sharing stories linked to each sportsperson, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday wished India's Olympic-bound athletes luck ahead of their departure for the Games, saying the whole nation is backing them to shine at the sport's biggest stage.
India's ace sprinter Dutee Chand from Odisha shared the challenges she faced both in her professional as well as personal life during PM Modi’s interaction with Tokyo Olympics-bound Indian athletes’ contingent. Dutee said that she is prepared for the games.
Among others, the PM spoke to iconic boxer MC Mary Kom, badminton ace PV Sindhu, talented shooters Saurabh Chaudhary, Elavenil Valarivan and veteran table tennis player A Sharath Kamal during a virtual interactive session.
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"Don't be bogged down by expectations, just give your best," Modi said in the interaction.
Offering his personal touch, Modi also spoke to the parents of Sindhu and lauded them for backing their daughter during her journey to success.
India To Send 228-Strong Contingent To Tokyo Olympics, 119 Athletes In It
India will be sending a 228-strong contingent to the Tokyo Olympics, including 119 athletes, IOA President Narinder Batra said on Tuesday.
Out of the 119 athletes, 67 are male and 52 female participants, Batra said during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interaction with Olympic-bound athletes.
"The total Indian contingent for Tokyo Olympics will be 228. There will be 67 male athletes and 52 female athletes. We are fighting for 85 medal events," Batra said in the virtual interaction.
This will be India's largest-ever contingent of athletes at the Olympics.
"The first contingent will leave for Tokyo on July 17. It will have 90 athletes and officials in total."