Tokyo: It was in Beijing in 2008 that India won its first individual gold medal, ever. Abhinav Bindra had won a gold medal in shooting. India had to wait for 13 years to see the next gold medal, but finally, the day arrived when Neeraj Chopra won it for India in Tokyo Olympics 2020.
As of August 2021, India has two gold medalists. The first gold medalist, Bindra has written an open letter to the second gold medalist Neeraj Chopra welcoming him in the 'Gold Medal Club'. Bindra hoped that Chopra's entry will pave way for many more gold medals for India in the future.
“Many congratulations on becoming India’s second Olympic Gold medalist. To win a Gold at the grandest sporting event in the world, which is held once every four years, is in itself so improbable that less than 3% of the 11,707 athletes competing in Tokyo will end up with one. Add to it the weight of expectations from an extremely proud nation starved of Olympic success, and your achievement becomes even more memorable," Abhinav Bindra wrote in a letter.
Take a look at the full text of the letter:
Abhinav Bindra thanked Chopra for ending India's Tokyo 2020 campaign "on a high". “Thanks to you, we have finished our Tokyo endeavour on a great high. Your performance has further elevated what has been evident throughout the Games - that our athletes are not only capable of going toe to toe with the best, but are firmly establishing ourselves as the favourite," Bindra added.
Finally, he welcomed Neeraj in the (Gold medal) club. India has its second ever Individual gold medalist. "Also, welcome you to the club. It is not the most happening of places yet and needs more members, but I feel your entry is going to pave the way for many more deserving athletes," Bindra went on.