Neeraj Chopra Won Gold, Hearts Of 135 Crore Indians: Anurag Thakur

Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Thakur said Neeraj Chopra has won a gold medal as well as the hearts of 135 crore Indians and has also emerged as a source of inspiration for sportspersons. "The government of India tried its best to send them overseas also to train and provide all kinds of facilities and I am glad that India won the highest-ever (tally of) medals," he said. "The athletes have done a fantastic job. Many have missed by a very close margin. But despite that, they have won the hearts of 135 crore Indians. The men's hockey team, he said, ended a 41-year medal drought and won a bronze medal and the women's team qualified for the first time and put up a great show. "Overall, the athletes in our contingent performed very well. In gold, Aditi Ashok lost by a very close margin... I cannot take everyone's name but this shows there has been a lot of improvement."