Badminton

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a reception for the Indian contingent that participated in the recently concluded Paris Olympics. The event was held after the Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort, where the athletes were also in attendance.During the reception, Modi interacted with the athletes, including Lakshya Sen, who finished fourth in the men's singles badminton competition. Modi praised Sen's performance and noted his growth since their first meeting. Sen revealed that his coach, Prakash Padukone, had taken away his phone during the matches to minimize distractions.Modi also had a light-hearted conversation with hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, who shared the team's experience of playing with 10 men for over 40 minutes in the quarterfinal against Great Britain. Singh credited the coaching staff and the team's motivation for their success in overcoming the adversity.The Prime Minister acknowledged the efforts of all the athletes who represented India and expressed his belief that the Paris Olympics will be a turning point for Indian sports. He emphasized the importance of learning from the experience and using it to prepare for the 2036 Olympics, which India is aiming to host.Modi termed the athletes as "India's soldiers of 2036 Olympics" and highlighted the value of their observations and experiences in planning for the future Games. He encouraged them to document their insights to ensure that India can provide the best possible facilities and management for the 2036 Olympics.

Keerthana Sai Nalla, a 26-year-old Indian badminton enthusiast, has altered her plans to witness the Paris 2024 Olympics. Despite securing a new job in Germany and wanting to return home before starting it, her passion for badminton and the allure of watching PV Sindhu's historic Olympic quest have compelled her to extend her stay in Paris.Nalla's love for badminton has been a constant throughout her life, despite her family's frequent relocations due to her father's military service. She has been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to witness the sport live at the Olympics, particularly the performances of the Indian men's doubles team of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.Sindhu, a double Olympic medalist and Nalla's all-time favorite sportsperson, is aiming for a record third Olympic medal, a feat no Indian has ever achieved. Nalla is determined to witness Sindhu's journey and has purchased tickets for the badminton matches."This is my best chance to watch Sindhu in action at the Olympics, so I am going to be around till the badminton games are done," said Nalla, who attended the Games live at Arena Porte de La Chapelle in Paris on Sunday.The Indian pair of Satwik and Chirag's victory over France's Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar in straight games further solidified Nalla's decision to stay back. "Badminton is my highlight at the Olympics, I really love that game," she added.Nalla is actively monitoring the Paris 2024 official ticket resale website for tickets to the women's singles semi-finals, where she expects Sindhu to reach. Her unwavering passion for badminton and the opportunity to witness history unfold have made her sacrifice her original plans and embrace the unforgettable experience of the Paris Olympics.

Puma Celebrates Indian Olympic Athletes with Mumbai Outdoor CampaignIn the lead-up to the Paris Olympics, sports goods giant Puma has launched an outdoor campaign in Mumbai to honor the achievements of Indian athletes. The campaign, titled "See the Game Like We Do," celebrates the feats of 45 Indian athletes who will represent Puma at the Games.Among the athletes featured in the campaign are badminton star PV Sindhu, javelin thrower Kishore Jena, and hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. Sindhu's powerful smash, Jena's record-breaking throw, and Sreejesh's exceptional goalkeeping skills are showcased through larger-than-life outdoor spectacles across the city.Sindhu's smash, which reaches speeds of 349 kmph, is three times faster than the speed of Mumbai's iconic Central Line train route. Her achievement is visualized on coaches of the local train, highlighting her exceptional speed and power.Jena's best throw of 87.54m is commemorated with his image on the facade of a similar-sized structure in Prabhadevi. The towering image represents the height and distance of his record-breaking throw.Sreejesh's agility and skill are showcased on a digital billboard on the Eastern Express Highway, connecting Mumbai and Thane. The billboard captures his ability to stop the fastest balls with ease, highlighting his crucial role in the Indian hockey team's success.In addition to the outdoor campaign, Puma will provide over 100 Indian athletes with podium and travel footwear, trolleys, backpacks, and other essential gear designed to enhance their training and comfort during the Paris Olympics."The IOA is deeply committed to enhancing India's medal prospects at the Paris Olympics, and such collaborations are a crucial step towards achieving that goal," said IOA president PT Usha.Puma's partnership with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) as their official footwear partner for the Olympics demonstrates the company's commitment to supporting Indian athletes and celebrating their achievements on the world stage.