As India celebrates the 78th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the Indian Olympic contingent at his residence in New Delhi. The Prime Minister was seen interacting with India's double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and the bronze medal winning hockey team presented him a stick with signatures from all players. "It was a delight to interact with the Indian contingent that represented our nation in the Paris Olympics. Heard their experiences from the games and lauded their feats on the sports field," the Prime Minister wrote on 'X'.
"Every player who went to Paris is a champion. The Government of India will continue to support sports and ensure that a top-quality sporting infrastructure is built," the Prime Minister wrote in another post on 'X'.
Meanwhile, the hockey players, including retired goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and captain Harmanpreet Singh, were seen posing with the Prime Minister with the bronze medals on their necks.
Manu, who scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win two Olympic medals at a single edition of the Olympics, was seen explaining the Prime Minister about the pistol. Manu returned with two bronze medals — in 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed event — in Paris. Sarabjot Singh, who paired up with Manu in the mixed event, also interacted with the PM, so did Swapnil Kusale, who won a bronze in 50m rifle 3 positions.
Meanwhile, India's lone medallist in wrestling Aman Sehrawat also posed for a photo with the Prime Minister. Shuttler Lakshya Sen, Tokyo Olympics medallists Lovlina Borgohain and Saikhom Mirabai Chanu were also among the participants who met the Prime Minister. Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha were also present.
Earlier, the members of the Indian contingent were present at the iconic Red Fort where PM Modi addressed the nation on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day. During his address, the Prime Minister said that the country is putting in the best efforts to host the Olympics in 2036. Apart from India, other nations such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey have also expressed strong desire to host the world's biggest sporting spectacle.
"It is the dream of India to host the 2036 Olympics, we are making preparations for that," the Prime Minister said in his address.
Taking a leaf out of hosting the G20 Summit last September in New Delhi and other cities, the Prime Minister said that "India has the capability to organise large-scale events."
The ambitious plan by India has been supported by current International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach. The last time India hosted an international multi-sport extravaganza was the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
If we talk about infrastructure, India already has the largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad and a report in PTI claimed that it is being seen as a front-runner to be the host city. Meanwhile, Odisha too has witnessed massive development in sporting infrastructure.
-with PTI inputs
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