Rio 2016: PM Modi attends the send-off ceremony organised for athletes

FP Staff • July 5, 2016, 11:22:56 IST

A number of Rio-bound athletes, including India’s flag-bearer Abhinav Bindra, who will be participating in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, scheduled to begin on 5 August, in New Delhi on Monday received a warm send-off from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Jitendra Singh

PM Modi greeted each member of 103-strong contingent during the send-off ceremony. Modi shook hands with shooter Gagan Narang. Photo: PTI

More athletes are likely to qualify in the coming days, and the ministry and the IOA are expecting more than 110 to represent the country in the Games. Photo: PIB/Twitter

PM Modi also obliged the athletes with selfies at the Manekshaw Centre. They were seen taking his autographs as well. Photo: PIB /Twitter

India will be sending its biggest ever contingent to the Olympics this year with more than 100 athletes having already qualified in 13 sporting disciplines. Photo: PIB/Twitter

The Indian women’s hockey team, national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand and boxing coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu were also present. However, some Rio-qualified athletes gave the function a miss as they are currently training abroad. Photo: PIB/Twitter