To strengthen Olympic bid, PM Modi seeks athletes' inputs

Confident that India's bid to host the 2036 Olympics will be successful, PM Modi has urged athletes bound for this month's Paris Games to share their views on the arrangements in the French capital to help the country's ambitious push to bring the showpiece to India.

In an interaction with Paris-bound athletes, conducted both in person and online on Thursday, Modi said those travelling to the French capital would do the country a huge service by providing inputs from their experience.

"We are hoping to host the Olympics in 2036, it will help in creating a sporting atmosphere. Work is in progress to prepare infrastructure for it," he said in the interaction, which was attended by the national men's hockey team, the shooting contingent, boxers and track-and-field stars such as Neeraj Chopra.

The interaction's complete video was shared by Prime Minister's Office on Friday.

"I won't ask you to do anything in the middle of your events but when you are free, I would urge you to observe the arrangements. Your inputs will help our bid for 2036. We will have an understanding on how to make sure that we are better-prepared," he added.

Have sound sleep, keep your focus: Modi

Emphasising that winning and losing are a part of any sport, Modi advised the Paris-bound athletes to stay calm and also never compromise on their sleep schedule because of competition anxiety.

"Don't get lost in the magnitude of the Olympics because that can break your focus. We need to have faith in our talent, and the focus should be on it and it will produce results," Modi said in his address.

"Whether you get medals or not, there is no issue, just give your 100 per cent which is important."

Modi also emphasised on the need to give the body ample rest.

"In the world of sports, practice and consistency are important, but the same level of importance should also be given to sleep. Good sleep is very important for sports or any other field.

"It is important to sleep free of all stress, don't compromise on sleep. We tried to give the best facilities to you, we have tried to give you all comfort."

Wishing the contingent all the very best, Modi also promised to invite the Olympic-bound athletes to this year's Independence Day programme.

"I wish you all the very best. I will try to invite you all to the Independence Day programme in Red Fort after you come back from Paris."

The upcoming Games will be held from July 26 to August 11 and India would be hoping to better its best ever tally of seven medals, including Chopra's historic javelin throw gold at the Tokyo Games.

Over 100 Indian sportspersons have qualified for the Games, including an unprecedented 21 shooters, who would be aiming to end the medal drought of last two editions.