As Neeraj prepares for his second Olympic look in Paris, all eyes are on the proficient athlete with the golden arm, poised to realize this historic feat.
India’s first particular person Olympic gold medal was secured by ace marksman Abhinav Bindra on the 2008 Beijing Video games, adopted by Neeraj’s triumph in Tokyo, marking India’s second particular person gold on the Olympics.
Legendary tennis participant Leander Paes expressed confidence in Neeraj’s capability to deliver residence one other gold from Paris.
Paes, who bagged a bronze medal in males’s singles tennis on the 1996 Atlanta Video games, additionally believes that India’s badminton queen PV Sindhu will safe her third consecutive podium end in Paris.
Neeraj Chopra and PV Sindhu
Sindhu beforehand received a silver medal on the Rio Olympics and a bronze on the Tokyo Video games.
TimesofIndia.com caught up with Paes to debate India’s medal prospects in Paris, Neeraj’s pursuit of a second gold, Sindhu’s bid for a hat-trick, and extra.
What message do you’ve gotten for the Indian contingent heading to the Paris Olympics?
Sure, I want each single Indian athlete heading to Paris for the Olympics all the most effective. We’re all behind you. Each single Indian internationally is there supporting you and providing you with optimistic vitality. We’ll all be glued to our TV units, and for these fortunate sufficient to attend the Olympics, we will probably be there cheering our groups and athletes on to deliver nice success to our nation and make us proud. I do know firsthand the pressures, stresses, and years of dedication required for one’s craft, career, and sport. I want each Indian athlete Godspeed and the most effective of luck on the Olympics.
India received seven medals within the Tokyo Olympics. What are your predictions for the Paris Olympics?
I believe securing seven medals in Tokyo was a implausible achievement. I am conscious of the great effort the sports activities ministry put in main as much as the Tokyo Olympics, particularly navigating by means of the COVID-19 interval which led to the postponement of the Olympics by a yr. The sports activities ministry did an outstanding job in supporting our athletes over these 5 years, from the earlier Olympics to Tokyo.
From Rio to Tokyo, I imagine the athletes additionally did an distinctive job of sustaining focus, staying in peak bodily situation, and doing every part proper regardless of the challenges posed by COVID-19 and the one-year delay of the Olympics. I am really happy with all of the athletes who participated in Tokyo, significantly those that received medals. I am eagerly wanting ahead to seeing our athletes carry out even higher in Paris.
You received a bronze medal on the 1996 Atlanta Video games. Since then, we’ve not seen a singles tennis medal. Do you suppose the wait has been too lengthy?
I’m actually happy with all our athletes, particularly these in tennis. However for all our athletes, I am happy with their perseverance and arduous work, aiming to make themselves, their households, and India proud. Profitable an Olympic medal will not be straightforward, particularly in sports activities like tennis the place the competitors is extremely fierce. Simply think about the Grand Slams; the competitors from across the globe is astounding. Tennis is a really international sport.
Leander Paes (Picture credit score: X)
In my opinion, stepping onto the Olympic podium requires years and years of observe—10,000 hours, three million excellent repetitions of every shot, and a decade to develop disciplined muscle reminiscence. It then takes one other decade of competitors, managing stress, and acting at essential moments. So, it takes not less than 20 years to nurture an Olympic champion. Even then, in tennis, the competitors stays intense, which underscores my immense respect for the athletes who persevere and try to be the most effective they are often.
Do you foresee any Indian athlete successful one other singles medal within the close to future?
I hope so. Nobody gave me an opportunity once I arrived in Atlanta in 1996. Nobody anticipated me to win a medal, however then I got here out and received one. Subsequently, my help, ardour for taking part in for the nation, and patriotism will at all times be there to help our athletes, believing in them that they are going to return with extra medals than the Tokyo Olympics.
All eyes will probably be on Neeraj Chopra, the golden boy. Do you imagine he can clinch his second Olympic gold medal in Paris?
After all he can. Neeraj is without doubt one of the nice athletes in our Olympic historical past. There’s immense stress on him, and I am a giant supporter of his arduous work, humility, and fervour. I totally help him and am happy with how nicely he conducts himself as a human being—his humility and positivity are admirable. The way in which he handles stress is one thing kids can study from. I imagine he’ll return with flying colours from Paris.
Neeraj Chopra (Picture credit score: X)
Can PV Sindhu obtain a hat-trick of Olympic medals?
After all, she will be able to. I imagine PV Sindhu is without doubt one of the biggest badminton gamers we have had. Profitable two medals on the Olympics back-to-back is a exceptional feat. I’m a powerful supporter of her and need her all the most effective within the Paris Olympics.
What does the longer term maintain for tennis in India?
Indian tennis has lots of athletes enjoying the sport, particularly in doubles. I imagine that with extra data and perseverance, we will develop our singles gamers considerably. I believe specializing in that is the subsequent step for us as a result of tennis is such a difficult sport, each bodily and financially. Touring around the globe yr after yr, week after week, requires substantial help. I believe India can enhance in these areas.
