PM Narendra Modi's tweet during Rio Olympics was a 'huge motivation': Pullela Gopichand

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Hyderabad, Aug 22: India's chief national coach for badminton, Pullela Gopichand today (August 22) thanked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing a "huge motivation" to country's athletes at Rio Olympics 2016.

PV Sindhu, who won silver in badminton women's singles in Rio Games and coach Gopichand, on Monday, landed in Hyderabad to a rousing reception.

The 21-year-old Sindhu and wrestler Sakshi Malik were the only 2 medal winners for India at Rio Olympics 2016. (Photos: Sindhu honoured)

Sindhu and Gopichand were honoured by Telangana government at Gachibowli Stadium where thousands of supporters joined in, in the celebrations.

Later, speaking to the media, Gopichand thanked Prime Minister Modi for his kind words in the middle of the Olympics. (Kudos to Gopichand)

Gopichand said, "It was a huge motivation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to tweet during the Olympics."

The coach also said he was motivated to get India a medal. "I was motivated. I did not want to leave any stone unturned in getting a medal for India," he said.

With Indian athletes failing to win a medal after 1 week at the Olympics, Modi took to the micro-blogging website Twitter to motivate the Indian contingent.

"India is phenomenally proud of all our athletes in Rio & their hardwork that got them there. Victory & setbacks are all a part of life," Modi wrote on August 13.

"I urge all athletes who have their games remaining to give their best & play with determination, not get burdened by what the result will be.

"The endurance, determination & dedication of every Indian athlete who is in Rio makes us very proud. They are India's pride," Modi add in 2 more tweets.

OneIndia News