Tokyo Olympics: Welcome to the club! Bindra, India's first individual gold medallist writes to Neeraj Chopra

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Bengaluru, Aug 7: It was an emotionally overwhelming moment as the Indian anthem played at the Olympics for the first time since 2008.

Neeraj Chopra's stupendous performance in the men's javelin final at the Tokyo Olympics saw the 23-year-old clinch gold, India's first gold medal in Tokyo.

After Abhinav Bindra in 2008, clinched India's first-ever individual gold medal at the Olympics, Chopra brought home India's second individual gold medal, after a gap of 13 long years.

Welcoming the youngster to the golden club and congratulating him for his stupendous show at the Tokyo Games, Bindra penned down an emotional letter.

In the letter to Chopra, Bindra wrote, "Many congratulations on becoming India's second Olympic Gold medalist. To win a Gold at the grandest sporting event in the world, which is held once every four years, is in itself so improbable that less than 3% of the 11,707 athletes competing in Tokyo will end up with one. Add to it the weight of expectations from an extremely proud nation starved of Olympic success, and your achievement becomes even more memorable."

Bindra also stated that Chopra's historic win would put the sport in the limelight. "Javelin throw might not be the most followed sporting discipline in India but your historic achievement has brought it to the limelight, capturing the imagination of billions watching at home. The impact your victory will create on promoting your sport amongst the country's youth is immeasurable. You have crossed the first barrier; the gates are now firmly open. Budding Olympians will now look up to you as they set out to fulfil their dreams of bringing glory to the nation."

With Chopra's gold medal winning feat, India notched up a best-ever medal haul at the Olympics. Bindra thanked Chopra for giving India a golden finish at the Tokyo Games. "Thanks to you, we have finished our Tokyo endeavor on a great high. Your performance has further elevated what has been evident throughout the Games - that our athletes are not only capable of going toe to toe with the best, but are firmly establishing ourselves as the favorites.

"Our first individual Gold might have taken over a century to come, but the comparatively miniscule time taken for you to bring home the second is a solid indication that we, as a sporting nation, are on the rise. There might still be a lot of work to be done for us to become a sporting superpower, there might be disappointments in the future, and progress might even be slow, but we do know now that we are on the right path. We are stronger than ever because of the spirit you and your fellow Indians showed in Tokyo."

"At the risk of sounding repetitive, I would like to appreciate the most important and indispensable people behind your success - your family, friends, and support staff. Having been where you are now, I know that undertaking years of rigorous training to become the world's best athlete in a sport is impossible without the love and support of these special people who selflessly do everything they can to help you achieve your dream as if it was theirs.

"Also, welcome you to the club. It is not the most happening of places yet and needs more members, but I feel your entry is going to pave the way for many more deserving athletes," signed off Bindra.

With Chopra's golden finish, India recorded their best-ever Olympic medal haul with a total of seven medals - including, one gold, two silver medals and four bronze medals.