India’s Tokyo Olympics witnessed a good beginning the and the recent developments have strengthened India’s claim to Olympics glory.
When a total of 126 Indian athletes across 18 sports disciplines landed in Tokyo to participate in Olympics 2020. One billion Indians cheered for them. Soaring hopes and prayers of Indians egged them on to go for the Olympic glory! Every athlete was ready to give her or his best for the nation. What a better start Indian fans could have expected than a medal on the very first day, that too a silver! The impressive performance by various sportspersons on the following days strengthened the country’s position in the vent and the country is hopeful to get a medal each in Badminton and welterweight boxing. As Industrialist Anand Mahindra said in his congratulatory message to Mirabai who ensure India’s first medal at the event. “One woman, The burden of expectations of over a billion. All lifted high above her head, effortlessly.
With her silver medal ended India’s 21-year wait for a weightlifting medal in Olympics. Mira bettered Karnam Malleswari’s bronze medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Mira lost the gold to China’s Houzhihul.
A FLYING START
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When Mira won silver on the very first day of the Olympics, the entire nation erupted into celebrations. Congratulatory messages poured in! Once Mira returned to her hometown, Imphal in Manipur, thousands of people came out on the streets to greet their daughter. Despite Covid-restrictions, they danced to rejoice Mitra’s accomplishments.
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NO DOUBT, IT WAS A FLYING START FOR INDIA IN TOKYO!
PV Sindhu’s advancement into Badminton and Lovlina Borgohain in welterweight boxing has given a lot of hope to the country of winning more medals and adding on to the country’s march to a spectacular performance. This wonderful performance by the women of the country has also given a lot of boosts to the rise of women’s power in the country.
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A DREAM – COME-TRUE
After her victory, Mira said, “It was really a dream-come-true for me. I would like to dedicate this medal to my country a would like to thank a billion prayers of all Indians. I am grateful for all the support extended by the government towards me. Without which this journey to an Olympic medal would not have been possible.”
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SHE LITERALLY LIFTED THE SPIRIT OF INDIAN CONTINGENTS IN TOKYO!
The moment Mirabai Chanu bagged silver. She proved that “Medals are made from tears and sweat. Victories are marked by tears of joy!”
“This silver medal is even more special because of the love people of India and my state Manipur has shown me. I’m grateful to each and every person who came today to congratulate to each and every person who came today to congratulate me and gave me their blessings.” And overwhelmed Mira reacted.
No doubt Indian hopes are still high in other categories like badminton, archery, boxing, and hockey, but it was Mira’s moment this year in Tokyo. She is already back home and will cherish the moment of glory for years and will inspire millions of youngsters.
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OLYMPIC GLORY
Olympic is one such event where every sportsperson fights it out to showcase their skills and bring glory to the nation. It is a moment of glory for every athlete to represent their country. The Olympics remain the most compelling search for excellence that exists in sport, and maybe in life itself. For an athlete, the Olympics are ‘the ultimate test of their worth’.
Originally scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 9, last year, the Tokyo Summer Olympics Games had to be pushed back due to the Global Covid 19 threat. After a lot of deliberations and consultations among the organizers and stakeholders, the Tokyo Olympics Games will now be held from July 23 to August 8, 2021, and the Paralympic Games from 24 August 24 to September 5, 2021.
Altogether around 11,000 athletes from 206 countries are participating in 33 sports categories. No doubt, the spirit of the game will be upheld with the successful completion of the mega event in due course. The Olympics Games will be a testimony of the triumph of the indomitable human spirit over the pandemic. But even the severest threat in the form of Covid-19 could not dampen the spirit of the athletes and organizers.
AS IOC (International Olympics Committee) president Thomas Bach has put it, “Humankind currently finds itself in a dark tunnel. These Olympics Games Tokyo 2020 can be a light at the end of this tunnel.”
Held amidst an extraordinary time in human history, the Tokyo Olympics Games has been an ‘extra-special display of humanity uniting as one, a global celebration of human resilience, and a sensational showcase of sport.
Jadav.Kakoti @timesgroup.com | Times of India
