'Proud to be Indian': Sreejesh's Emotional Speech Gets Big Round Of Applause At Rashtrapati Bhawan

The Paris Olympics have finally concluded and India's Olympic Contingent has returned home after a campaign with mixed results. India aimed to come back from Paris with at least 10 Olympic medals. However, they managed only six medals (seven if Vinesh Phogat wins the case in CAS).

As the Indian Contingent returned home, they were welcomed back by India's President Droupadi Murmu with a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan and India's Hockey legend PR Sreejesh received a rousing reception. 

PR Sreejesh's Rousing Reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan

India's Hockey legend PR Sreejesh was honoured to meet the President and opened up on Team India's journey at the Paris Olympics. Sreejesh revealed that the Hockey team were bit unhappy at missing out on Gold medal. 

“I was part of the hockey team and it was a special tournament for us as we won bronze in the previous Tokyo Olympics 2024. We all wanted to upgrade our medal but unfortunately we lost against Germany in the semi-final (3-2). We gave everything we could and wanted to return to India with something,” said PR Sreejesh.

PR Sreejesh further thanked the Government for their efforts and as he signed off he received a huge round of applause. 

“The medal (bronze) was not possible without the effort of the Government of India and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) who provided everything to prepare us for the Paris Olympics. I can proudly say that we are proud to be an Indian,” concluded Sreejesh. 

President Droupadi Murmu greets the Indian Olympics Contingent 

The Indian Contingent alongside Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha and Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya were present at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday evening as they were welcomed back home by the President of India Droupadi Murmu. 

The honourary President addressed the Athletes and congratulated them on their participation in the Paris Games. Murmu assured that the entire India was proud of their performance at the Games. 

“I welcome you all at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. I want to congratulate all the players for their wonderful performance at the Paris Olympics 2024. For me, all of you are Gold medallist. We are all proud of you. You are a great source of inspiration,” said Droupadi Murmu. 

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India's Paris Olympics medal tally 

Going into the Paris Olympics, the expectations were high from India to get at least 10 medals and make it their best performance at the Olympic Games ever. 

However, India only returned home with six medals, failing to better their tally from Tokyo Olympics of seven medals. India won five Bronze medals and one Silver medal as they failed to bring back a Gold medal. 

Also Read | Sreejesh Favors Tokyo Bronze Over Paris, Shares Reasons Behind Choice

Given India's failure to win a Gold medal at the Olympics, the nation finished at 71st position in the Paris Olympics, behind the likes of Pakistan who finished above due to Arshad Nadeem's Gold medal in men's Javellin.