This is the country’s medal, says Neeraj Chopra as India welcomes its Olympic Heroes

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 9

Advertisement

“Ye medal mera nahi hai, ye desh ka medal hai (This is not my medal, this is our country’s medal,” said Neeraj Chopra, who ended 121-year wait for India’s first individual gold medal in Javelin on Saturday.

Neeraj and other Olympic Heroes, including silver medallist wrestler Ravi Dahiya, bronze medal winners Bajrang Punia, Lovlina Borgohain and the men’s hockey team, were given a red carpet welcome as thousands poured to catch a glimpse at the Indira Gandhi International Airport as our Olympic Heroes returned from the best-ever medal haul of seven medals from the Tokyo Olympics.

#TokyoOlympics2020 Gold medalist @Neeraj_chopra1 felicitated by Union Ministers @ianuragthakur, @KirenRijiju and @NisithPramanik

This Gold medal is not just mine but of the entire nation: @Neeraj_chopra1 #Cheer4India pic.twitter.com/PVQDpZkRgq

— PIB in Chandigarh (@PIBChandigarh) August 9, 2021

‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ rang loud and clear as many of the stars were led to the Ashoka Hotel for the felicitation ceremony organised by the Sports Ministry on Monday evening, in a long cavalcade. Bajrang and Ravi were atop their SUVs taking salutations from the fans assembled to thank the champions.

“I have been roaming with this medal in my pocket ever since that day. I haven’t slept and eaten right since but a glance at it puts me at ease and then I tell myself ‘all is good’,” Chopra said at the felicitation function.

Before the function, Neeraj, in a symbolic gesture to honour his parents, presented the medal to his mother Saroj Devi and his father Satish, for backing him to succeed in sports.

“Most of these athletes gathered here today are from middle-class families and family members’ backing is the most important thing in our lives. If the family says ‘Just go and play, we will look after the expenses’, it gives you the strength to pursue and succeed,” the Subedar in Indian Army said.

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, his deputy Nisith Pramanik, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, and several top officials of the ministry and Sports Authority of India (SAI) were present at the function.

“Tokyo for several reasons had many firsts for our country. We sent our biggest ever contingent to Tokyo. We returned with the best-ever haul of seven medals. The 121-year wait for a medal in athletics was ended by Neeraj Chopra. Neeraj you made 135 crore Indians proud,” Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said addressing the medal winners.

“Manpreet you and your team ended a 41-year wait for a medal in hockey. You guys have also inspired the next generation to dream big. All of you our heroes of new India,” Thakur added.

Bajrang Punia was the first of the medal athletes to be felicitated with a shawl and a memento, followed by boxer Lovlina Borgohain, who won bronze. “The welcome we have received today has inspired me to win again next time. I want to thank everyone who has given us so much love today,” Bajrang said.

The ministry also asked the women’s hockey team to cut a cake to celebrate the team’s performance. The team led by Rani Rampal finished a creditable fourth, its highest-ever placement in the Olympics.

Union Minister @ianuragthakur congratulates the Indian men’s hockey team and its captain @manpreetpawar07 for winning a medal in the #Olympics after 41 years; says we are equally proud of the women’s hockey team for entering the semifinals of the Olympics for the first time ever pic.twitter.com/7cakiLFN6i

— PIB India (@PIB_India) August 9, 2021