Modi gives Rio athletes send-off

ATHLETES bound for the Rio Olympics, including

India’s opening ceremony flag-bearer Abhinav

Bindra and wrestling ace Yogeshwar Dutt,

hailed the send-off given by prime minister

Narendra Modi, who interacted individually

with each of them here on Monday (4).

At a function at Manekshaw Centre, Modi

wished luck to each of the sportspersons for the

August 5-21 Games. Later, he took to Twitter also

to extend his good wishes. He also responded

to the tweets posted by the Rio-bound team.

Bindra, India’s lone individual Olympic gold

medallist, who will make his final appearance

at Rio, said, “For the first time ever there is a

send-off by @PMOIndia @narendramodi for the

Olympic Team. What a great gesture.#respect.”

London Olympics bronze medallist grappler

Yogeshwar also thanked the PM for his gesture.

“It was great gesture from our Honourable Prime

Minister to wish athletes personally. Something

like this has never happened. So, it’s a great encouragement

for all of us.”

Thanking the PM for his support, young boxer

Shiva Thapa wrote on his twitter handle, “Great

to meet our Honourable PM Shri @narendramodi

ji..Thank you for all your support.jai hind.”

Two-time World championship bronze medallist

shuttler PV Sindhu called the meeting motivating.

“Meeting PM Modi was motivating and

encouraging, hope to bring at least 2 to 3 medals,

from the Rio Games,” she said.

Shooter Heena Sidhu tweeted a photograph

along with the PM, with the caption reading:

“Send off to #RioOlympics by the Prime Minister

#NarendraModi. We all had a good time.”

“Glad 2 meet our energetic #PM @narendramodi

Ji in a pgm. Ur words gv us energy 2

bring laurel 4 country in #Rio,” boxer Manoj Kumar

posted with a photograph with Modi.