Team India star batter Virat Kohli has urged the nation to get behind its Olympic-bound contingent, asking the fans to join him in supporting the athletes as “they inch closer to the podium with dogged determination” in Paris Olympics 2024.
In a little over a minute long video post on social media, featuring some Paris-bound athletes like javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and boxing hope Nishant Dev, Kohli said it is time for India to be recognized as a global sporting powerhouse.
Our brothers and sisters are hungry: Virat Kohli
“There was a time when the world could only think of India as a land of snake charmers and elephants. Over time, that has changed. Today we are known to the world as the largest democracy, a global tech hub,” said Virat Kohli in the video.
“So, what is the next big thing for this great nation? Well, there will be more gold, more silver and more bronze. Our brothers and sisters are headed to Paris hungry for medals. A billion of us will be watching them nervous and excited as our athletes set foot on the track and fields and coats and things,” Kohli said.
In every neighborhood and every corner of India, you will hear a chorus of voices chanting India, India, India! Join me in remembering their faces as they inch closer to the podium with the dogged determination of waving the Tiranga with pride,” Kohli added.
A total of 118 athletes, including 48 women athletes, across 16 sports disciplines will participate in the Paris Olympics. Out of the total of 118 Paris-bound athletes, 26 are Khelo India athletes and 72 athletes have qualified for the Olympic Games for the first time.
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