NEW DELHI: The Indian Hockey Team received a warm reception at the Delhi Airport on Tuesday after securing the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. A large crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of the medalists, welcoming them with the rhythmic beats of dhols.
After securing a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, PR Sreejesh, a veteran of Indian hockey, announced his retirement from the sport. He was part of the contingent that made their way back to India following the conclusion of the Olympic Games. During the closing ceremony, Sreejesh and Manu Bhaker had the honor of carrying the Indian flag, representing their nation with pride.
The group of athletes that reached the destination together with PR Sreejesh included Abhishek Nain, Amit Rohidas, and Sanjay.
The first group of players arrived at the New Delhi Airport on Saturday, while the remaining team members who attended the closing ceremony of the Summer Games 2024 touched down on Tuesday.
WATCH: Celebrations start at IGI Airport as PR Sreejesh and other team members arriveSumit Valmiki, a team member, expressed his gratitude, saying, "It feels great. Entire India is sending us its love...You can see the atmosphere across the country...Love us more, we will perform even better. Sreejesh gave his best throughout the tournament. We won Bronze due to him..."
The Paris Olympics concluded with a closing ceremony on Sunday night. India secured the 71st position on the medals tally, while the United States of America topped the list with a total of 126 medals.
On Thursday, India clinched the bronze medal with a 2-1 victory over Spain at the Yves du Manoir Stadium in France. Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored a brace (30', 33'), and PR Sreejesh's exceptional saves ensured the win, despite Marc Miralles (18') scoring for Spain.
Under coach Craig Fulton's guidance, India made history by winning consecutive bronze medals at the Olympics, a feat not achieved since the 1972 Munich Games. Sreejesh, playing his final match for India, was overwhelmed with emotions as his teammates joined him on the ground to celebrate this significant moment in Indian hockey history.
Harmanpreet Singh finished as the tournament's top scorer with 10 goals in eight matches, surpassing Australia's Blake Govers, who scored seven goals.
Also see: India's Olympic closing ceremony flag bearers since 2008The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
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