Rio 2016: PM Narendra Modi assures all possible help to Indian Olympics contingent

New Delhi: Assuring “all possible help” to the Indian contingent at the Rio Olympic Games 2016, scheduled to begin on 5 August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hoped that Indian sportspersons would be able to win hearts of people from across the world.

Modi flagged off ‘Run for Rio’ event at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium to cheer for the largest ever Indian contingent who will be participating at the multi-sport event in Rio.

Thousands of school children, wearing masks of Rio-bound Olympians, participated in the ‘Run for Rio’ from Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium to Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

“Wherever our athletes go, India is visible not only on the ground but in their conduct as well. I am confident that these players will win hearts with their behaviour during the Games. They will introduce the great Indian heritage to the world,” he said.

“I want to convey this to the members of Indian contingent that there will be many athletes from all over the world but there are 125 crore Indians standing behind you. When we will hoist the tri-colour here on the occasion of 70th Independence Day, I am sure that our national flag will also be hoisted in Rio during this period,” said Modi.

He also urged the youth to work hard for 2020 Olympics and said the focus should be on sending more than 200-member contingent to Tokyo.

“This time we did not get enough time as we came to power 2 years back only. Next Olympics will be held in Tokyo in 2020 and I appeal to the youth to prepare hard from now onwards targeting Tokyo. We must take a pledge to send more than 200 athletes to 2020 Olympics,” Modi said.

“I hope these 119 sportspersons will perform well (in the games), and they will be able to win hearts of the people, who come there from different parts of the world,” Modi said while flagging off “Run for Rio” in Delhi at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

The Prime Minister also expressed satisfaction over the fact that India, this time around, was able to send a strong contingent of 119 sportspersons to the Rio Olympic Games.

“India has been associated with the Olympic Games for over 100 years but only this year we were able to send 119 sportspersons to Rio,” he said, adding that the entire contingent was prepared well and government took special care of their training.

“We allotted special budget for their diet, training this time around,” he said, adding that players were asked where and under whom would they like to be trained and all arrangements were made for every selected individual with government spending from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 1.50 crore on a player.

Modi also wished luck to the hosts Rio de Jeneiro for a successful Games.

“I convey my best wishes to Rio, all the participant countries and players from our countrymen. I am sure that this Games, with the moto of spreading the message of brotherhood, will be highly successful,” said the Prime Minister.

“Sport is the necessity of life and internationally it is essential for each the nation. Come lets play and blossom,” he added.

Sports Minister Vijay Goel said that their aim is to spread sports to each and every village and develop other sports as well.

“We are hosting Brics football and Under-17 World Cup. We are soon going to open 8 new sports academies. I wish luck to all the members of Rio contingent from the Indian government,” Goel said.

Modi also released a brochure on India’s history in Olympics with information about our players taking part in Rio games.

With inputs from agencies.