PM Modi to interact with Tokyo Olympics bound athletes tomorrow

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with Tokyo-bound athletes virtually tomorrow. Last month, Mr Modi had reviewed India's Olympics preparations on the occasion of 50 Days to Tokyo Olympics.

During the course of the review, Mr Modi was apprised about the various steps taken towards ensuring uninterrupted training for athletes amidst the pandemic, participation in the international competitions to win Olympic quota, vaccination of athletes, and customised support being provided to them.

In his Mann Ki Baat on All India Radio last month, Prime Minister had stated that all Indian athletes heading to the Tokyo Olympics have worked hard for long and urged the nation to come forward and support them. Sharing their struggles and triumphs, the Prime Minister said that our sportspersons can be seen as inspirations.

A total of 126 athletes across 18 sports disciplines from India will be heading to Tokyo. This is the biggest-ever contingent India is sending to any Olympics.

The 69 cumulative events across the 18 sport disciplines that India will participate in is also the highest ever for the country. There are several notable firsts in terms of participation.

For the first time in its history, a Fencer Bhavani Devi has qualified for the Olympic Games. Nethra Kumanan is the first ever female Sailor from India to qualify for an Olympic Games.

Sajan Prakash and Srihari Nataraj are the first Swimmers from India to qualify for an Olympic Games by achieving the 'A' Qualification Standard in Swimming.

The tomorrow's event will be attended by Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Nisith Pramanik, and Law Minister Kiren Rijiju.