NEW DELHI: The entire contingent of the Indian Olympics team which represented at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 will be invited as special guests at the Red Fort by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15 during the India's Independence day celebrations.
Reportedly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi have also extended invitations and will be meeting them personally for an one on one interaction with all of them.
It may be mentioned that India's 2020 Tokyo Olympic contingent consists of 127 participants across 18 different sporting disciplines and also includes two alternate players and one reserve goalie in the men's and women's hockey teams. Notably, the Tokyo 2020 contingent is the largest Olympic contingent that has ever been sent by India and it also includes the highest female representation of 56 sportspersons.
Earlier on Monday, the women's hockey team of India in its very "chak de' moment created history by entering the semis at the Olympics for the first time in history and managed to beat champion Australia with 1-0. While on the other hand, India's top shuttler PV Sindhu in a brilliant performance made India proud by defeating China's He Bing Jiao on Sunday. She won the women's singles bronze medal which also happens to her second individual medal at the larger than life, Olympic Games. Sandhu leapt forward to be the first Indian woman to win two individual medals at the Olympics.
History was again created at the Tokyo Olympics when Mirabai Chanu quenched India's 21 year thirst for a medal at the Olympics in the weightlifting category. Chanu bagged a silver medal in the 49 kg category made the country's dream come true.
Also, at the 2020 Olympics India witnessed the highest number of players qualifying for the mega event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Remember, they've achieved this feat while dealing with the biggest disaster in 100 years. There are many games for which we have qualified for the first time, and not just qualify... they've given a tough fight."
Further lauding the Indian Olympic contingent, PM Modi added that, "The confidence and passion of the Indian players is at its peak. This confidence comes when the talent is recognised, when proper facilities are provided. This new confidence is becoming the identity of new India."
In what could be called a heartbreaking moment for India, the Indian men's hockey team has lost to Belgium in the semi-final of the ongoing Tokyo Olympics today. In this sensational and high voltage match, the Indian men in blue were defeated by the Belgium team with a margin of 2-5. With this loss, India is now seeing for a bronze gainst either Australia or Germany in a second semi-final face-off.
Earlier during the day after the match, PM Modi tweeted, "Wins and losses are a part of life. Our Men's Hockey Team at #Tokyo2020 gave their best and that is what counts. Wishing the Team the very best for the next match and their future endeavours. India is proud of our players,"
It may be mentioned that So far in the Tokyo Olympics 2020, India has managed to win three medals that consists of a silver medal, by weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, a bronze from shuttler PV Sindhu, from boxer Lovlina Borgohain.