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Apart from Neeraj, bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat, hockey stars PR Sreejesh and Amit Rohidas were present at the function. PT Usha, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president, was also present during the event. read more
 "IOC member Nita Ambani felicitates two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra")
Neeraj Chopra was feliciated by IOC member Nita Ambani and IOA president PT Usha at the India House on Saturday. PTI
Nita Ambani, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) felicitated India’s athletes including Neeraj Chopra at the India House during the 2024 Paris Olympics on Saturday. Neeraj, who won silver in men’s javelin, was felicitated along with a few members of the Indian hockey team that won bronze after beating Spain.
Apart from Neeraj, bronze medallist Aman Sehrawat, hockey stars PR Sreejesh and Amit Rohidas were present at the function. PT Usha, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president, was also present during the event.
“In all of human history, there has never been a more magical force than Sport, to inspire, empower, and unite. In a world that’s more divided and fragmented than ever, Sport truly is one of the greatest equalizers and unifiers of our time. At the first-ever India House, we have celebrated this transformational power of Sport!," said Nita Ambani.
“Neeraj, आपने अपने medals से ही नहीं, बल्कि अपने हौंसले, हिम्मत, विनम्रता, और कड़ी मेहनत से हम सबका, पूरे देश का, और सारी दुनिया का दिल जीत लिया है!” Mrs Nita Ambani, Founder & Chairperson, Reliance Foundation honours the icon of Indian athletics, the pride of the nation, Neeraj… pic.twitter.com/f7L87U8YBz
— Reliance Foundation (@ril_foundation) August 10, 2024Paris Olympics: News, schedule, medals tally and more
“Legacy is not built overnight. We all can play our part in creating it. Not just the government and the private sector, but each one of us has a responsibility to take our country to the sporting heights we aspire to reach. As parents, let’s encourage our children to take up sports.
“As fans, let’s make Olympism a daily reality, not a once-in-four-years dream. As supporters, let us follow our athletes along their journeys, not just at the Games. Together, let’s build a nation where every child dares to dream and every athlete has the support they need to make India a truly global sporting powerhouse,” the chairperson of Reliance Foundation added.
Paris Olympics 2024 | Controversies to historic milestones
Ambani termed Neeraj as one of the most consistent athletes. “You have won our hearts not just with your medals, but also with your determination, hard-work, and humility. You have etched your name in history and become a house-hold name as one of the greatest and most consistent athletes of your time," she said.
She also highlighted the stellar performance of the Indian hockey team, who beat Spain in the bronze medal playoff. “As we continue to celebrate our champions, it is my great pleasure to salute a team that has rekindled India’s glory on the Olympic stage. After a gap of 40 years, this young team has reclaimed that greatness, that pursuit of excellence, and that same unstopping drive for success, with back to back Olympic medals – first in Tokyo, and now Paris," she said.
Vowing to come back stronger after missing out on a second successive Olympic gold medal, Neeraj said he will be able to perform better with improvements in his throwing angle and run-up.
Also read | India look at Neeraj Chopra with glittering hope amid despair at Paris Olympics
Entering the Paris Olympics as the defending champion, Chopra ended his campaign with a silver medal as Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem took the gold with a Games record monstrous throw of 92.97 metres.
”I’m happy with my strength, but I feel that if my throwing angle improves, I can throw better. I’m yet to see my videos. The height was falling a bit short. I need to work on my run-up, and if I stay healthy, I will throw better,” said Chopra, who has had a series of injuries in the build-up to the Olympics.
He is hoping for India to get hosting rights for the 2036 Olympics. ”It was a good Olympics for our Indian team overall. There were lots of fourth positions, and they really fought well. It would be great if the Olympics come to India in 2036,” he said.
Chopra felt people in cricket-mad India are gradually getting hooked on Olympics disciplines, and that’s a sign that things are changing.
”It’s good that people are watching our games now. They watch our games live; they wake up very early and sleep late. This is one of the signs that Indian sports have changed. If parents encourage their children to go to the stadium, then things will change even more,” he said.
After Nadeem won the gold medal in Paris, Chopra’s mother, Saroj Devi, remarked that the Pakistani athlete is ”also our child”. Off the field, the duo enjoys good relations.
”My mother belongs to a village. There isn’t much mobile or media there, so whatever they say, they say it from the heart, like a mother. She was also praying for me like all other Indians. So whatever she felt in her heart, she said it,” Chopra said.
”Sports always bring the two countries together. The border issue is a different matter. We try to unite through sports. We also think about living peacefully, but that’s not in our hands,” he signed off. PTI TAP AH AH
With PTI inputs
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