Receiving send-off from PM Modi for Rio Olympics was motivating: Sindhu

New Delhi : Ace Indian shuttler P.V Sindhu on Monday admitted that it was really motivating and encouraging for the Indian contingent to receive send-off from honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the next month’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

At the event organised at the Manekshaw Centre, Prime Minister Modi was seen interacting with the sportspersons and wishing them luck for the world’s biggest sporting spectacle.

“That was really motivating and encouraging to all the athletes and he wished all of us. He has been asking about our preparation. It has been very motivating. This time seven of us (shuttlers) are going. I hope at least two to three medals we win,” Sindhu told ANI.

Talking about her preparation for next month’s prestigious event, the 20-year-old shuttler said her preparation has been going good and that she is hoping to put her best foot forward in the games.

“I am really very excited about it of course. Waiting for it, there is only one month to go. Preparation wise everything is going down well and hoping to do well,” she said.

Over 100 Indian athletes from 13 different sport disciplines have already been selected with a few more names expected to be added before the start of the mega-event. The previous highest was 83 which the country sent in the 2012 Olympics in London.

Echoing similar views, former long jumper Anju Bobby George stated that it was for the first time that a Prime Minister gave send offs to Rio-bound contingent, adding that she hoped it would serve as a morale booster for all the Indian athletes.

“After each event, we get felicitation from government side or from Prime Minister side. This is for the first time that the Prime Minister is sending off the team for Olympics. So, that itself is a motivating factor for the athletes and they will light the lamp,” George said.

The Rio Olympics 2016 is slated to be held from August 5 to August 21. (ANI)