As Neeraj prepares for his second Olympic look in Paris, all eyes are on the gifted 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 capacity to convey dwelling 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 might have for the Indian contingent heading to the Paris Olympics?
Sure, I want each single Indian athlete heading to Paris for the Olympics all the very best. We’re all behind you. Each single Indian internationally is there supporting you and supplying you with constructive vitality. We’ll all be glued to our TV units, and for these fortunate sufficient to attend the Olympics, we shall be there cheering our groups and athletes on to convey 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 very best of luck on the Olympics.
India received seven medals within the Tokyo Olympics. What are your predictions for the Paris Olympics?
I feel securing seven medals in Tokyo was a improbable achievement. I am conscious of the great effort the sports activities ministry put in main as much as the Tokyo Olympics, particularly navigating by way of the COVID-19 interval which led to the postponement of the Olympics by a 12 months. The sports activities ministry did an exceptional job in supporting our athletes over these 5 years, from the earlier Olympics to Tokyo.
From Rio to Tokyo, I consider 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 have not seen a singles tennis medal. Do you assume 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 laborious work, aiming to make themselves, their households, and India proud. Successful an Olympic medal just isn’t straightforward, particularly in sports activities like tennis the place the competitors is extremely fierce. Simply take into account the Grand Slams; the competitors from across the globe is astounding. Tennis is a really world sport.
Leander Paes (Picture credit score: X)
For my part, stepping onto the Olympic podium requires years and years of observe—10,000 hours, 3 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 twenty 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 very best 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. Due to this fact, my help, ardour for enjoying for the nation, and patriotism will all the time be there to help our athletes, believing in them that they’ll return with extra medals than the Tokyo Olympics.
All eyes shall be on Neeraj Chopra, the golden boy. Do you consider 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 an enormous supporter of his laborious work, humility, and fervour. I absolutely help him and am happy with how properly he conducts himself as a human being—his humility and positivity are admirable. The way in which he handles stress is one thing children can study from. I consider 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 consider PV Sindhu is without doubt one of the biggest badminton gamers we have had. Successful two medals on the Olympics back-to-back is a exceptional feat. I’m a robust supporter of her and need her all the very best within the Paris Olympics.
What does the long run maintain for tennis in India?
Indian tennis has numerous athletes taking part in the sport, particularly in doubles. I consider that with extra information and perseverance, we will develop our singles gamers considerably. I feel specializing in that is the following step for us as a result of tennis is such a difficult sport, each bodily and financially. Touring all over the world 12 months after 12 months, week after week, requires substantial help. I feel India can enhance in these areas.
