"Soldiers of the 2036 Olympics": PM Modi hails Paris Games' Indian contingent

Star Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen opened up about how his coach Prakash Padukone took his phone away and hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh also shared his views on the teams campaign Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the reception shared a good laugh following the air conditioning woes in ParisThe reception was held at Red Fort after the Independence Day celebrations The video of the interaction was shared by Modi and the athletes could be seen having oneonone chats with the PM ModiIn one such conversation with Lakshya who finished fourth in the mens singles badminton competition Modi said When I met Lakshya for the first time he was very small but now he has grown up Do you know this time you have become a celebrityTo this Lakshya replied Yes sir But during matches Prakash Sir took my phone and told me till the matches are over you wont get your phone But after that I got to know the support I gotIt was a learning experience and little heartbreaking as well because I came so close said the 22yearold who lost from a position of strength in the bronze playoffA laughing Modi instantly said Prakash Sir was so disciplined and strict I will send him the next time as wellAlso ReadVidarbha skipper Akshay Wadkar rues not making it in any of the Duleep Trophy teamsThe concluded Paris Olympics 2024 was promoted as an ecofriendly Games edition following which there were no ACs available in the room and this forced the sports ministry to dispatch 40 portable ACs on an urgent basis for their comfortable stayA laughing PM Modi asked all the athletes who all cursed him for the situation to which no one replied There were no ACs and it was hot as well so I want to know which of you cried first saying Modi speaks big but there are no ACs in rooms so what should we do Modi saidWho all are there who faced most difficulties But then I learnt that within few hours that work also was done See how we try to provide you the best of facilities the Prime Minister addedModi also had a lighthearted chat with Harmanpreet who opened up on how the team fought back after being down to 10 men for more than 40 minutes in the quarterfinal against Great BritainJust tell me when you to fight with 10 men against Britain you must have been demoralised from the start Sarpanch saab please tell it was very difficult Modi asked the India captain addressing him with his nicknameHarmanpreet replied Yes Sir it was very difficult because we got the red card in the first quarter but our coaching staff helped us a lot We visualised every situation because in the Olympics anything can happen The motivation of the team also increased because we have a rivalry with GB BritainModi interrupted and laughingly said It has been going on for the last 150 yearsHarmanpreet said We fought and ended the match 11 and won it in shootout It never ever happened in Olympics history playing with 10 men for 42 minutes and then winningKeeping in mind the medal tally PM Modi said that the Paris Olympics 2024 is going to be a turning point for India The Indian contingent returned with the six medals including one silver and five bronze medalsThe count was one less than Tokyo and there was no gold in the tally this timeFurther Modi appreciated the efforts shown by the athletes and stated that their inputs will help in getting the hosting rights for the 2036 OlympicsThose who have returned after losing please get this out of your mind You made the country proud and came back after learning something Sports is one area where no one loses everybody learns Modi saidI believe Paris Olympics will be a launchpad for the rise of Indian sports This is going to be our turning point After that there will only be wins We are not going to stop the Prime Minister addedThe Prime Minister termed the athletes as Indias soldiers of the 2036 OlympicsIndia is preparing to host the 2036 Olympics In this case many athletes who played in the Olympics their input are very important You might have observed many things there from Olympics planning to all facilities from sports management to event management Modi saidYour experiences your observations we need to write them down so in 2036 Olympics all the little things and experiences of yours will help us in preparing for the Games In one way you are soldiers of the 2036 Olympics he addedWith PTI Inputs