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As Neeraj prepares for his second Olympic appearance in Paris, all eyes are on the talented athlete with the golden arm, poised to achieve this historic feat.
India’s first individual Olympic gold medal was secured by ace marksman Abhinav Bindra at the 2008 Beijing Games, followed by Neeraj’s triumph in Tokyo, marking India’s second individual gold at the Olympics.
Legendary tennis player Leander Paes expressed confidence in Neeraj’s ability to bring home another gold from Paris.
Paes, who bagged a bronze medal in men’s singles tennis at the 1996 Atlanta Games, also believes that India’s badminton queen PV Sindhu will secure her third consecutive podium finish in Paris.
Neeraj Chopra and PV Sindhu
Sindhu previously won a silver medal at the Rio Olympics and a bronze at the Tokyo Games.
TimesofIndia.com caught up with Paes to discuss India’s medal prospects in Paris, Neeraj’s pursuit of a second gold, Sindhu’s bid for a hat-trick, and more.
What message do you have for the Indian contingent heading to the Paris Olympics?
Yes, I wish every single Indian athlete heading to Paris for the Olympics all the best. We are all behind you. Every single Indian across the world is there supporting you and giving you positive energy. We will all be glued to our TV sets, and for those lucky enough to attend the Olympics, we will be there cheering our teams and athletes on to bring great success to our country and make us proud. I know firsthand the pressures, stresses, and years of dedication required for one’s craft, profession, and sport. I wish every Indian athlete Godspeed and the best of luck at the Olympics.
India won seven medals in the Tokyo Olympics. What are your predictions for the Paris Olympics?
I think securing seven medals in Tokyo was a fantastic achievement. I’m aware of the tremendous effort the sports ministry put in leading up to the Tokyo Olympics, especially navigating through the COVID-19 period which led to the postponement of the Olympics by a year. The sports ministry did a phenomenal job in supporting our athletes over those five years, from the previous Olympics to Tokyo.
From Rio to Tokyo, I believe the athletes also did an exceptional job of maintaining focus, staying in peak physical condition, and doing everything right despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 and the one-year delay of the Olympics. I’m truly proud of all the athletes who participated in Tokyo, particularly those who won medals. I’m eagerly looking forward to seeing our athletes perform even better in Paris.
You won a bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Since then, we haven’t seen a singles tennis medal. Do you think the wait has been too long?
I am really proud of all our athletes, especially those in tennis. But for all our athletes, I’m proud of their perseverance and hard work, aiming to make themselves, their families, and India proud. Winning an Olympic medal is not easy, especially in sports like tennis where the competition is incredibly fierce. Just consider the Grand Slams; the competition from around the globe is astounding. Tennis is a truly global sport.
Leander Paes (Image credit: X)
In my view, stepping onto the Olympic podium requires years and years of practice—10,000 hours, 3 million perfect repetitions of each shot, and a decade to develop disciplined muscle memory. It then takes another decade of competition, managing pressure, and performing at crucial moments. So, it takes at least two decades to nurture an Olympic champion. Even then, in tennis, the competition remains intense, which underscores my immense respect for the athletes who persevere and strive to be the best they can be.
Do you foresee any Indian athlete winning another singles medal in the near future?
I hope so. No one gave me a chance when I arrived in Atlanta in 1996. No one expected me to win a medal, but then I came out and won one. Therefore, my support, passion for playing for the country, and patriotism will always be there to support our athletes, believing in them that they will return with more medals than the Tokyo Olympics.
All eyes will be on Neeraj Chopra, the golden boy. Do you believe he can clinch his second Olympic gold medal in Paris?
Of course he can. Neeraj is one of the great athletes in our Olympic history. There’s immense pressure on him, and I’m a big supporter of his hard work, humility, and passion. I fully support him and am pleased with how well he conducts himself as a human being—his humility and positivity are admirable. The way he handles pressure is something youngsters can learn from. I believe he will return with flying colors from Paris.
Neeraj Chopra (Image credit: X)
Can PV Sindhu achieve a hat-trick of Olympic medals?
Of course, she can. I believe PV Sindhu is one of the greatest badminton players we’ve had. Winning two medals at the Olympics back-to-back is a remarkable feat. I am a strong supporter of her and wish her all the best in the Paris Olympics.
What does the future hold for tennis in India?
Indian tennis has a lot of athletes playing the game, especially in doubles. I believe that with more knowledge and perseverance, we can develop our singles players significantly. I think focusing on this is the next step for us because tennis is such a challenging sport, both physically and financially. Traveling around the world year after year, week after week, requires substantial support. I think India can improve in these areas.
