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New Delhi, August 9
India’s triumphant Olympic contingent, including historic javelin gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, returned to the country on Monday and were greeted with frenzy and chaos at the airport where supporters scrambled for catch a glimpse of their sporting heroes.
The athletes were greeted by a delegation from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) headed by its Managing Director Sandeep Pradhan, who was accompanied by the President of the Indian Athletics Federation, Adille Sumariwala.
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Euphoric supporters, family members and some local political leaders were cheered with loud cheers as the returning athletes made their way through massive crowds in and out of the airport.
Waving the tricolor, people danced to the rhythm of the dhol and the live band, sang and shouted at the top of their lungs to show their appreciation to the medalists.
The huge rally meant social distancing standards ran counter to the fact that several, many without masks, rushed to glimpse the stars.
Olympic silver medalist Ravi Dahiya is greeted upon arrival at IGI Airport, following the conclusion of the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, New Delhi on Monday, August 9, 2021. PTI
Some have even been seen doing push-ups and boards just outside the airport in their excitement. Inside, Chopra and other medal winners struggled to pass a crowd in search of selfies.
“We are here to support our heroes. We are proud of them, ”said a young girl, who claimed to be an aspiring athlete herself.
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The most spectacular outing was made by bronze medalist wrestler Bajrang Punia, who was seen waving and waving to his supporters from the sunroof of an SUV, which several fans were clinging to defying all the rules traffic as he exited the airport. .
“We will try to do better next time, I had a knee problem,” said Punia, who had competed in the Games as the favorite for gold.
The athletes were given garlands and bouquets upon arrival and were applauded by airport staff as they made their way into utter chaos.
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They were then taken to a congratulatory function by Sports Minister Anurag Thakur later that evening.
Welcome to the champions!
The athletics team is back from the # Tokyo2020 Olympic Games. We welcome them with joy and excitement and # Cheer4India.
Watch the video and send your best wishes in the comments below@PMOIndia @ianuragthakur @NisithPramanik @afiindia @WeAreTeamIndia pic.twitter.com/9wJrvdzjPC
– SAIMedia (@Media_SAI) August 9, 2021
“This is the first time that we have attended a reception like this, it is very encouraging,” said walker KT Irfan, who competed in the 20 km walk.
India surpassed its previous record of six medals won at the London Games in 2012 with one gold, two silver and four bronze in Tokyo.
While Chopra added the golden shine to the campaign, the silver medals came from weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya.
The bronze medals were won by boxer Lovlina Borgohain, commuter PV Sindhu, the men’s hockey team and Punia.
The spotlight, however, is intended to target Chopra, whose gold was India’s first in 13 years overall and the very first in track and field events.
The 23-year-old army man is also the Asian and Commonwealth Games champion and led the field with a throw of 87.58m in the final to comfortably win gold in Tokyo.
Among the medalists, Chanu and Sindhu had returned to the country a few days earlier after their events ended, as COVID-19 protocols required athletes to leave Tokyo within 48 hours of the medal ceremony.
India had sent a contingent of 228 people for the Games, including more than 120 athletes.
It was the country’s largest presence at the quadrennial spectacle which took place after a one-year delay due to the pandemic.
Despite the many challenges they faced in training for the Games amid the blockages and lack of competitive action, the Indians managed to exceed all expectations with their efforts, which also included impressive performances but without medal.
“This is a proud moment for the country and state of Haryana. Neeraj and Ravi are both from Haryana. Doodh, dahi ka khana, number one in Haryana, ”joked the state congressman Deepender Singh Hooda, who was also at the airport to greet the athletes. PTI
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