Delhi: Paris 2024 Olympics-bound Indian athletes took part in a ceremonial send-off organised by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in Delhi on Sunday. The kits, including the playing kit, the ceremonial dress and performance shoes and travel gear were on show during a ramp walk by the confident athletes.
The design of Team India’s playing kit showcases the confidence, versatility and ferocity of the terrains of our mighty nation. Each contour and flow echoes the resilience of our landscapes, which is fierce, embodying the indomitable spirit of our athletes. It’s more than just fabric, it’s a symbol of pride, woven with the spirit of India’s champions. The fabric used in the kit provides the athletes with maximum comfort. The anti-static feature of the fabric avoids static cling while the stretch feature allows the garment to move with the athlete’s body and conform to its shape, providing a comfortable, custom fit that allows for maximum range of motion.
The air vent allows the facilitation of airflow and heat dissipation. The moisture-wicking technology allows the fabric to draw moisture away from the skin to the outer surface of the garment where it can evaporate. This will help keep the athlete’s skin dry and cool during physical activity, reducing chafing or irritation. The anti-microbial feature helps prevent unpleasant odour and fabric degradation.
India will be sending a contingent of close to 120 athletes to the Olympics, including an Athletics team led by the defending champion in the men’s javelin Neeraj Chopra, a 21-member Shooting team and a 16-member men’s Hockey team.
Multiple dignitaries wished the Indian athletes
In her welcome address, IOA president Dr PT Usha said that she had drawn on her experience as an athlete to ensure that Indian athletes would not be short of sports science support in Paris 2024. “We have drawn up a very athlete-centric plan to support our athletes to perform at their peak in Paris,” she said.
“We have assembled a strong team under Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala’s leadership. It includes sports medicine experts, wellness specialists, nutritionists, physiotherapists and a sleep scientist,” Dr. Usha said. “For the first time, IOA will also give a participation allowance to the athletes and the coaching and support staff. I am confident India will come back from Paris with its best showing in any Olympics.”
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said all Indians celebrated the hard work, dedication, and unwavering spirit of the country’s athletes who have earned the honour of representing India on the biggest stage. “I am confident that this contingent will sustain India’s growth trajectory in sports. We saw a spurt from two medals in Rio 2016 to seven in Tokyo 2020 as India rose from 67th to 48th, helped in the main by Neeraj Chopra’s Javelin Throw gold medal. I am hoping that our athletes will take us even higher on the medal table this time,” he said.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said it was a matter of pride for his Ministry that it could support India’s Olympic Sport. “I am also glad many of our public sector corporations employ many sportspersons, including Paris-bound Olympians. I am confident that the Indian team will feel inspired to produce memorable performances in Paris and come back with a good number of medals,” he said.
