New Delhi, July 1 (Agency) Ahead of their journey to the Paris 2024 Olympics, Indian athletes exuded confidence at a ceremonial send-off held by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) at the Ashoka Hotel on Sunday.Dignitaries including Union Ministers Mansukh Mandaviya (Youth Affairs and Sports, Labour and Employment), Hardeep Singh Puri (Petroleum and Natural Gas), and IOA President PT Usha, MP, unveiled the Indian team’s three kits. These include a dynamic playing kit designed by JSW Inspire, a striking ceremonial dress from TASVA by Tarun Tahiliani, and performance shoes and travel gear by PUMA, showcased elegantly in a ramp walk by the athletes. Mandaviya praised the dedication of Indian athletes, highlighting their journey from Rio 2016 to Tokyo 2020, where India climbed to 48th place with seven medals. “This event symbolises the dreams of billions supporting our athletes,” he emphasized, expecting an even stronger performance in Paris.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Mandaviya noted government initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, enhancing India’s sports infrastructure and coaching expertise globally. Hardeep Singh Puri expressed pride in supporting Indian Olympic sports through various ministries and public sector corporations, expecting stellar performances and medals from the Indian contingent. PT Usha, leveraging her athlete experience, assured comprehensive sports science support for Paris 2024, emphasizing a tailored plan led by Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala to optimise athlete performance. The playing kit, embodying India’s spirit with its design inspired by the nation’s resilience, features advanced fabric technology ensuring comfort, moisture-wicking, and anti-microbial properties to enhance athlete performance. India’s delegation of nearly 120 athletes includes defending champion Neeraj Chopra in athletics, a strong shooting team, and a determined men’s hockey team.Principal sponsors including Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Reliance Foundation, Adani, and Aditya Birla Capital, along with partners like Yes Bank, Dream Set Go, Herbal Life, and others, underscore India’s robust support network for its athletes at the Olympics.