Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Team India’s Paris 2024 Olympics group to make sure they get enough sleep to perform their best. He also asked them to look closely at the host nation’s infrastructure to learn for India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics.
PM Modi talked to the athletes on Friday at his home and over video calls. Olympic medalists PV Sindhu, Lovlina Borgohain, and javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra were among those who joined. PM Modi stressed the importance of sleep for top performance, saying, “Practicing regularly is important, but so is getting enough sleep. Not sleeping enough can harm you. I suggest you make sure you get a good amount of sleep. Medical science today says how long and how well you sleep is very important.”
The Prime Minister mentioned plans to have the 2024 Olympic stars participate in Independence Day celebrations on August 15 to showcase their talent and achievements. “Competing in the Olympics is a significant achievement. Your performance on the field enhances that,” he added.
Expressing confidence in the athletes, PM Modi reminded them of the opportunity to make their country proud and urged them to observe Paris’s infrastructure for future reference. “We are bidding to host the 2036 Olympics. Preparations for infrastructure are underway. Your observations and experiences in Paris will be valuable for our future hosting plans,” he said.
He encouraged the athletes to play without pressure and give their best, emphasizing that the games are a contest of talent rather than status. “Trust your talent. Regardless of how formidable your opponent appears, focus on your own skills to achieve results,” he advised.
During the interaction, Indian men’s hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh expressed hope that Team India will improve upon their bronze medal win at Tokyo 2020. “Winning bronze last time was a proud moment. Our nation has a rich history in hockey. We are training hard at SAI Bengaluru, which offers excellent facilities for recovery, sleep, and nutrition,” he said.
PM Modi also interacted with athletes like Sift Kaur Samra and Manu Bhaker, who have benefited from government initiatives like Khelo India and the Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS).
Team India will participate in the multi-sport event from July 26 to August 11, aiming to surpass their seven-medal haul from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which included a gold, two silvers, and four bronzes.