Buoyed by the success of the Tokyo Olympics, where India achieved its best-ever medal tally, the country is now setting its sights on a double-digit medal haul at the Paris Olympics.
This optimistic projection comes from sports administrator and IOC member Nita Ambani.
Speaking at the grand opening of 'India House' at La Villette, Ambani expressed her confidence in India's athletes and highlighted the nation’s growing prowess in the international sports arena.
She also hinted at India's aspirations to host the Olympics in the near future, a vision aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement last October about India's intent to bid for the 2036 Olympics.
"We are going to do very well. Forty-seven per cent of our athletes are girls. All for women power and all for our young boys and girls, we are rooting and cheering for them. I hope we can see double digits in medals for the first time. Go India go, make India proud," Ambani declared with enthusiasm.
The opening ceremony of 'India House' was a star-studded affair, following closely on the heels of the Paris Olympics' glittering opening.
The event saw the attendance of notable personalities including BCCI secretary Jay Shah and various IOC officials and administrators.
This is the first time India has established a dedicated country house at the Olympics, a milestone that underscores its growing influence and ambition on the global sports stage.
"India has arrived. It is time that the flame that was first lit in Athens must light the sky in our ancient land — Bharat. The day is not far when India will host the Olympic Games. Let this be our collective resolve at the opening of the India House," Ambani stated, reflecting on India's historic and cultural heritage.
The 'India House' aims to be a hub for celebrating the achievements of Indian athletes, honouring their efforts, and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of India.
Ambani highlighted that the house would serve as a "home away from home" for the athletes, providing them with a supportive environment where they can connect with their roots while competing on foreign soil.
"For the first time, India has its own house at the Paris 2024 Olympics. It's a place where we are going to honour our athletes, celebrate their achievements, and wish them well," she said.
The house will host numerous cultural programmes and feature many Indian artisans, celebrating India's heritage alongside its sporting achievements.
Ambani shared the inspiration behind 'India House', citing her experiences at previous Olympic Games.
"When I went to Brazil, Korea Winter Olympics, and then Tokyo, we didn't have an India House. I just felt that India, with its 1.4 billion people, needed a house of its own. So that's when I started thinking about having an Indian House at the Olympics for our athletes and everyone to see what the spirit of India really is," Ambani concluded.
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