PM Narendra Modi Spells Out 'Bitter Truth' As India Prepare For Olympics Success
PM Modi said India's Olympic performance can improve only if the country manages to increase its participation in those events in which it has not participated in the past
- PM Narendra Modi said India's Olympic performance can improve only if the country participates in new events
- India participated in 16 of 32 sports in the 2024 Paris Olympics
- "We don't even compete for a huge chunk of the medal tally. And this has been going on for decades," he said
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday delivered a reality check on Indian sports and sportspersons. In a virtual address to hundreds of athletes, students and volunteers who gathered at various locations for the Khelo India Dialogue, PM Modi said India's Olympic performance can improve only if the country manages to increase its participation in those events in which it has not participated in the past. He added that his vision for sports is not merely about winning medals but making it an integral part of the nation-building process.
"In the Olympics, there are so many different sports. Indian teams don't even participate in half of them," PM Modi said, calling it a "bitter truth". In the 2024 Paris Olympics, India participated in 16 of the 32 sports that were part of the Games roster.
This problem was also visible during Team India's recent Commonwealth Games 2026 campaign, where India's predominant medal-winning sports like badminton, hockey, cricket, wrestling, etc. were not present. India took part in only 10 sporting events and six integrated para-sport events, but still came fourth on the points table, winning 13 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze medals.
"...we don't even compete for a huge chunk of the medal tally. And this has been going on for decades. Other countries of the world win medals in those sports, and we don't even participate in them. To increase our medal tally, we will have to master these sports as well," he added.
He specifically mentioned two sporting disciplines, surfing and sport climbing, where India can do well.
"For example, surfing and sport climbing. We have a huge coastline and vast mountainous regions. From water sports to winter sports, we have the demography and geography. But we do not have a strong presence in these sports. So, we have to look at the possibilities of developing the ecosystem for such sports and build it further," he continued.
In his Independence Day speech on August 15, PM Modi had announced a nationwide talent hunt for children in the age group of 5 to 15 to ensure that India's participation improves at the Olympics.
"On this 15th August, I have presented India's sports vision for the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort. When I talk about sports, it is not merely about winning medals. It is a campaign to integrate India's sporting power and youth power together in the construction of a developed India," he said.
He gave the examples of para-athletes Avani Lekhara (shooting) and Jhandu Kumar (powerlifting), and how they inspired the nation. "Our para-athletes are an example of how sport can change lives. I have felt inspired by them," PM Modi said.
PM Modi reiterated India's ambition to host the 2036 Olympics and announced a nationwide talent hunt to identify sporting talent among children aged five to 15 years while addressing the nation on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day.
"In 2030, India is also going to host the Commonwealth Games," PM Modi said.
"We have decided that the Olympics 2036 should be held in India. In the disciplines in which India does not play or qualify, India will focus on these disciplines, and we will launch a talent hunt campaign," he added.
PM Modi said India needs to identify and nurture young talent in preparation for the 2036 Olympics, particularly children who are currently five, 10 or 15 years old.
"We have to pay attention to our sons and daughters. Therefore, a talent hunt campaign will be conducted in every village, every city and every school to identify sporting talent among children aged five to 15," he said.