When all of India’s winning athletes returned home they received a hero’s welcome. The heroes include those that had a podium finish as well as those didn’t – because simply reaching the Olympics is a huge deal. Not all of them arrived back together because of the Games Policy that required athletes to return home soon after their events. However, the scenes at the airport were something like this:
Though she didn’t make it to the final, her command performance in the battle for the bronze was hugely impressive. P V Sindhu received a grand welcome when she returned home.
All the medal winners received rousing welcomes.
It was literally a welcome with band and baja! Security at the airport was beefed up to deal with scenes like this.
Neeraj Chopra obviously attracted a lot of attention and was given tight security upon landing.
The javelin that fetched India a historic first ever gold medal in track and field also attracted attention.
Because COVID is still very much among us.
Chopra was mobbed by cheering crowds as soon as he landed.
I wonder if India’s now-famous gold medal winner had envisaged the type of welcome he would be returning to, at the time that he left the country.
Bajrang Punia won the bronze medal but would like to aim higher for the next time. “Will do better next time” he said even as his entire village seemed to have gathered to welcome him.
India’s boxing performances were good but expected to be better. The Indian boxing coach also had some issues with some of the refereeing decisions made.
If silver medal winner Mirabai Chanu loves pizza, Neeraj Chopra seems to love gol gappas or pani puri. This is what he had to say about India's fave street food. It has been a memorable Olympic Games for Indians and Indian athletes – most of whom are already on the track to prepare for the 2024 Paris Games.
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