New Delhi, India, July 21, 2021: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has urged the Indian athletics squad to “go for the medal” at the Tokyo Olympics which gets underway on Friday, July 23.
The revered icon of cricket in India, who joined the national track and field federation in an online send-off, told the athletics squad to chase the dream of winning an Olympic medal relentlessly, and to enjoy the pressure and not be bogged down by it.
“A lot of people say there is win or loss in sport but my message is that the loss should be for your opponent and the win for you. You should go for the medal,” Tendulkar said.
“Don’t stop chasing your dream and the dream should be the medal around your neck, National Anthem playing and the tri-colour flying high.”
The Indian track and field contingent will have 26 athletes, plus 11 coaches, eight support staff, one team doctor and one team leader. The athletics squad leaves for Tokyo on July 23.
Tendulkar added: “The expectations of the people have grown because of your improved performance. That is a good thing. I always enjoyed pressure or expectation from the people. You have to change it to positive energy.”
Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, on whom India is pinning its hopes to win a medal, agreed with Tendulkar that expectations had grown.
“The country has expectations from us because we have produced better performances. We will do our best and try to meet the expectations by winning medals,” Chopra said.
Source: Indian Express
