Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday morning flagged off ‘Run for Rio’, a running event organized before the beginning of the Rio Olympics 2016. The event is being held to show Indian athletes that the whole country is proud of them and wishing them the best in the forthcoming games and also to connect the public at large, especially children and youth, with the Olympic spirit and power of sports, said Sports Minister Vijay Goel in a statement earlier.
PM Modi delivered a short speech before the flagging off of the run in which he encouraged and inspired the young students participating in the event.
“Zyadatar khel ka moolyankan jeet aur haar mein simat jaata hai, khel ka mulyankan jeet aur haar mein nahi sameta jaa sakta hai (Most of the times, we equate games with either winning or losing. Games are much more than that),” he said.
About 20,000 school children are taking part in the run, which began from Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
“Khel, khilaadi joojhne ke liye tayar hota hai,poori taakat se desh ke samman ke liye joojhta rehta hai,yahi uski sabse badi kasauti hoti hai (In a game, players are ready to face the struggles with all their strength, especially to uphold the dignity of the nation),” Modi said.
Wishing the athletes of the Rio Olympics luck, he said: “Every player has worked hard to get here. They will surely give their best.”
“This time, 119 athletes have gone. Let?s resolve today itself that next time more than 200 athletes will go for the event,” Modi added.
“Our athletes will win hearts the of the world and will show the world what India is about, I am sure about it,” he further said. “When the 2020 games take place, let every district affirm that one athlete from our district will represent India at those games.”