PM Modi urges Asian Games medalists to spread message of drug-free India

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indian athletes who excelled by taking home gold from the 19th Asian Games to spread the word about a “drug-free India”.

At the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in New Delhi, PM Modi visited the Indian team who competed in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

PM Modi thanked the athletes for their accomplishments and urged them to advocate for a drug-free India because they can contribute significantly to the country’s continuing war on narcotics.

“There were athletes who visited schools some of them are here, I know Neeraj visited a school and children were praising him. Our country is currently engaged in a decisive fight against drugs, you are aware of the negative effects of drugs and even if an athlete is guilty of doping unknowingly, the career of that athlete will be destroyed. Sometimes the desire for victory takes an athlete to a different route. I want to spread awareness among the youngsters through you (athletes). You can play a big role in this. You are the idol of mental strength and commitment. You can’t win medals by using your physical strength. Mental strength plays a big role. You are the biggest brand ambassador for educating youngsters about the negative effects of drugs,” PM Modi said.

For the first time in their Asian Games history, India won more than 100 medals, making this one of the most notable athletic occasions for the nation in recent memory and one that will forever be associated with all the competitors.

Indian athletes set a new record most medals won in the Asian Games 2023 with 107 total wins, including 28 gold, 38 silver, and 41 bronze. This broke India’s previous record set at the most recent competition in Jakarta in 2018, when a 570-member Indian team won 70 medals — 16 gold, 23 silver, and 31 bronze — for its efforts.

At the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, shooting led the way for India with an unparalleled collection of 22 medals, including seven gold.

Athletics came in second place with six gold medals, 14 silver medals, and nine bronze medals, highlighted by Neeraj Chopra’s successful championship defence in the javelin throw. 29 medals were awarded to the nation in athletics.

(With agency inputs)