‘Gives Goosebumps’: Tokyo Olympics Heroes On Their National Anthem Video | Republic Day 2022

A video has been created by IISM which features India’s 18 medallists at the Tokyo Games. Its purpose is to increase awareness about sports among the people and celebrate India's sporting heroes.

Screengrab taken from YouTube video

New Delhi: The Indian athletes who brought glory to the country in the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, have come together to recite the national anthem ahead of the Republic Day 2022 celebrations.

The concept has been introduced by the International Institute of Sports Management (IISM). A video has been created by IISM which features India’s 18 medallists at the Tokyo Games, both Olympics and Paralympics. Its purpose is to increase awareness about sports among the people and celebrate India's sporting heroes.

The athletes who feature in the video are Neeraj Chopra, Ravi Kumar Dahiya, Mirabai Chanu, PR Sreejesh, Lovlina Borgohain, Sumit Antil, Manish Narwal, Pramod Bhagat, Krishna Nagar, Bhavina Patel, Nishad Kumar, Yogesh Kathunia, Devendra Jhajharia, Praveen Kumar, Suhas Yathiraj, Sharad Kumar, Harvinder Singh, and Manok Sarkar.

“Keeping in mind the stupendous success achieved by Indian sportspersons at last year's Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, and this year's Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, IISM has directed and produced the National Anthem which has brought all these athletes together for the first time. The objective this time as well remains the same: To inspire both the people of India and fellow sportspersons to take up Sports and dedicatedly desire to achieve success in this field,” said Nilesh Kulkarni, Founder Director at the International Institute of Sports Management (IISM).

“As a soldier as well, it is a matter of pride when you hear our national anthem in a foreign land. When it plays even people from other countries give us respect. It is a matter of pride for all of us,” said javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who won a gold medal at the Games.

India men’s hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh said: “Only an athlete can have a feeling when the anthem plays at a stadium. It gives you goosebumps and reminds you of your responsibility. It reminds you of your family, friends and our countrymen.”

"When we go to competitions, we only think about India and the flag. We only think about how the flag can keep flying high. When the anthem plays and the flag goes up at the podium it was an emotional moment for me," said Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, who won the silver medal in the women's weightlifting 49 kg category at Tokyo Games.

Bronze Medal winning boxer Lovlina Borgohain," With a medal in my hand, it was a special moment for me. I had wanted the anthem play for me, because it is an extra special moment in any athlete's life."

Indian para-badminton player Krishna Nagar said: When I won the gold for the first time, it was an emotional moment for me. I got to prove myself because I improved my game tremendously. When the national anthem was playing, I was very emotional. It was a dream come true for me.

Para athlete Sumit Antil, who won gold medal in javelin throw said," I had won gold and created a world record. I was emotional and mixed feelings. I was thinking about the family and the entire country."