Neeraj Chopra, PR Sreejesh and other Indian athletes pen heartfelt Independence Day wishes on social media
As India celebrated its 78th Independence Day on August 15, 2024, the top Indian athletes took to social media to express their pride and love for the country. From heartfelt messages to reflections on their roles as national representatives, these sports icons showcased their patriotic spirit in unique and inspiring ways.
Neeraj Chopra, India’s javelin sensation who recently secured a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, shared his joy with a message in Hindi, wishing everyone a Happy Independence Day and concluding with a powerful “Jai Hind!”
Olympic gold medalist and recent recipient of the prestigious Olympic Order, Abhinav Bindra, shared a message, urging everyone to honor the nation’s journey to freedom. He called on his fellow citizens to work together towards building a future filled with hope and opportunities.
Indian men’s hockey team participated in the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort in New Delhi. Star goalkeeper PR Sreejesh shared glimpses from the event.
Joining them at the Red Fort was Paris 2024 equestrian Anush Agarwalla, who also expressed his admiration for the nation’s rich heritage.
PT Usha, one of the legendary Indian athletes and the current president of the Indian Olympic Association, reminded everyone of the sacrifices made by freedom fighters. She called on her fellow Indians to uphold the values that define the nation as it marches towards a prosperous future.
Messages from Indian athletes, including Mary Kom, Saina Nehwal, Rani Rampal, and Rohan Bopanna, echoed similar sentiments, with each of the Indian athletes emphasizing the importance of freedom and the collective responsibility to cherish it.
Indian athletes end Paris 2024 Olympics campaign with 6 medals
Indian athletes concluded their journey at the Paris Olympics with six medals, one less than their tally of seven medals at the Tokyo Olympics. The nation's tally included five bronze medals and one silver.
However, the standout performer among Indian athletes was star shooter Manu Bhaker. At just 24 years old, Manu became the first Indian athlete since independence to win two medals in a single Olympic edition, a record previously held by Norman Pritchard at the Paris 1900 Games.
Manu's journey in Paris was nothing short of extraordinary. She secured a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event, becoming the first Indian woman to achieve this in the discipline. Her success didn't stop there—alongside Sarabjot Singh, she earned another bronze in the mixed team 10m air pistol event, marking India's first-ever medal in this category.
Though she narrowly missed out on a third medal, finishing fourth in the women’s 25m pistol event, her achievements in Paris solidified her place among India’s greatest athletes.
The men's hockey team delivered one of the most memorable performances by clinching a bronze medal for the second consecutive time, a feat last achieved 52 years ago. Their hard-fought 2-1 victory over Spain got them their 13th historic medal in the Olympics.
Adding to the medal tally for the Indian athletes, Swapnil Kusale showcased his sharpshooting prowess, winning a bronze in the men's 50m rifle 3P event. Meanwhile, Neeraj Chopra, India's javelin star, brought home a silver medal with a remarkable throw of 89.45m, following his historic gold in Tokyo.
Wrestler Aman Sehrawat, making his Olympic debut, impressed with a bronze medal in his weight class, defeating Puerto Rico's Darian Cruz with a dominant 13-5 score.