Youth Olympic stars glitter with promise of bright future
NEWDELHI: Manu Bhaker planted a kiss on her mother’s cheek and ran to catch the bus for the day’s third felicitation function for the medallists at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Buenos Aires. The moment perfectly captured the essence of the day. There was banter and joyful faces; proud parents and coaches, and hopes of a bright future.
India’s haul of 13 medals — three gold, nine silver and one bronze — is its best ever at the Youth Olympic Games. In the first edition in 2010, India won eight medals but that dropped to two in China four years ago. Significantly, the medals this time are spread across eight disciplines, most of them won by athletes from humble backgrounds.
The medallists met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the morning. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports also felicitated the 29 medallists and cash awards of ~25 lakh, ~16.7 lakh and ~10 lakh for gold, silver and bronze were given. The Indian Olympic Association felicitated the medallists with cash awards of ~3 lakh, ~1.5 lakh and ~1 lakh each.
Teenagers like Manu and Saurabh Chaudhary, both winners at YOG, carry big hopes for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“It is a very important medal for me. It has helped me to get my confidence back,” said Manu.
The third gold was won by Mizo weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga (62 kg).
Sports Minister Rajayavardhan Singh Rathore delivered a message for the athletes.
“You all have talent to win medals at the highest level and it is up to you how you use this opportunity. Some will be satisfied, some will use it to get admission in a good college while some will be hungry to win medals at the Olympics.” he said.