With just 25 days left to go for the much awaited Tokyo 2020 Olympics, last minute qualifications from athletes across sports and preparations from the qualified athletes are in full swing. It is to be noted that due to the postponement of the games and due to lack of competitions (either cancelled or postponed) the qualification this time has been haywire. But still, India will be sending a strong contingent of 100 plus this time around with some prospective medal winners. Shouts are that if things go well, this will be India’s best Olympic performance with respect to medals won. To know the entire list of Indian athletes who have qualified, visit our article.
Let’s quickly look back on how India has fared at the Olympics so far -
Government and private Olympic initiatives like the OGQ, TOPS program, JSW, GoSports have played a major role in scouting and supporting talented athletes. Due to this, athletes have received much needed interventions in key areas to help propel their preparations, qualification, and chances of success. It’s not just the traditional sports like Wrestling and Boxing that this time India will be participating in but also in some of the new sports like Sailing, Judo, Fencing & Equestrian. This is a welcome and positive sign in the Indian sporting ecosystem.
Gracenote, world’s leading sports and entertainment company, has projected India to win 17 medals at the Tokyo Olympics.
Athletes to watch out for at the Tokyo Olympics - Neeraj Verma, Mirabai Chanu, Deepika Kumari, Amit Panghal, Manu Bhaker, Elavenil Valarivan, Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat.
Sports minister, Kiren Rijiju has highlighted that the Indian Olympic contingent is going to Tokyo to win medals and not just to represent. He applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his mention during his monthly radio program “Mann Ki Baat”, where the athletes heading to Tokyo were praised and he urged the entire country to get behind the athletes.The sports ministry, to boost the morale of the athlete contingent going to Tokyo have provided vaccination on priority basis and also recently launched a Olympic theme song called “Tu Thaan Ley”. Various states have already announced the monetary compensation for athletes that will be provided on winning medals. Provision has been made to keep them in a secured bubble, access to quality infrastructure and training with world-class coaches. Despite very little competition exposure and a tough year due to the pandemic, measures have been taken to ensure that training continues to be at the highest level.
Excitement and expectations levels are really running high as the days are approaching fast. The nation’s hope of having the tri-color unfurl and see an Indian on the podium has reached a pinnacle level than ever before. Let us all get behind the athletes and wish them luck on a successful Olympics.
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