Indian Olympics contingent to be Guests at Independence Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will invite India’s Olympic contingent as special guests at the Red Fort on August 15 when he will be delivering his eighth Independence Day speech.

Highlights

• Modi will also invite contingent to his residence for interaction.
• This year, India has been represented by a 228-strong contingent, which include 120 athletes at the Tokyo Olympics.

India’s Olympic contingent

India sent a large contingent for last three editions of Summer Olympics. Tokyo Olympics 2021 is observing a 228-member strong contingent from India who are participating in 18 sporting events. India’s Olympic contingent for Tokyo 2020 comprises of 127 participants from 18 sports. Two alternate players including one reserve goalie in men’s and women’s hockey squads have also been sent.

India in Past Olympics

117 Indian athletes including 63 men and 54 women participated in 2016 Rio Olympics across 15 sports. Indian roster featured three Olympic medallists from London, including badminton player Saina Nehwal, rifle shooter Gagan Narang and freestyle wrestler & four-time Olympian Yogeshwar Dutt.  While in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, 83 athletes including 60 men and 23 women competed in 13 sports. In 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, India was represented by 57 athletes in 12 sports.

Summer Olympic Games

Summer Olympic Games or Games of the Olympiad are major international multi-sport event which is held after every four years. First Games were held in 1896 in Athens, Greece.  Games are organised by International Olympic Committee (IOC). IOC also oversees the host city’s preparations. In Olympic event, tradition of awarding gold medals for first place, silver medals for second place and bronze medals for third place started in 1904.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2021