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After the Indian cricket team had an unprecedented welcome with a victory parade in Mumbai after T20 World Cup 2024 title victory, Indian men’s hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh is eager to recreate those moments by winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Harmanpreet stated that nothing is bigger than representing the nation in a big tournament like the World Cup and winning the title. The defender, who is gearing up for his third Olympic appearance, feels it’s a matter of pride to bring joy on the countrymen’s faces.
"As a player there is nothing bigger than representing your country in a big tournament like World Cup and winning the trophy. The whole country is dancing with the cricketers. It is a matter of greater pride that you have brought joy on everyone's face," he told PTI Bhasha.
"We also want to live these moments with the countrymen by winning the gold in Paris. There cannot be a matter of greater pride for me than this," added Harmanpreet Singh.
“Keep your faith in us, we will not disappoint you” - Harmanpreet Singh
Harmanpreet Singh also stated that the Indian team will enter the Paris Olympics 2024 with a lot of expectations especially after winning the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, breaking the 41-year-old medal drought.
Remarkably, Team India are the eight-time gold medalist in the Summer Games. The Indian skipper insisted that the team will put their 100% effort from the first to the last game and end on the podium.
"When we won a medal in Tokyo, it was like a tonic for hockey in India. This time our responsibility has increased and everyone knows how much love and respect we have received after that medal," Harmanpreet said.
"I will only say that you (countrymen) have been with us since the first day and we have also tried to give our best. This time too, we will give our 100 percent from first to last match. Keep your faith in us, we will not disappoint you,” he added.
Harmanpreet Singh, who has 188 goals from 219 matches for India, will lead the Indian team for the first time in the Olympics. He will be making it to the Olympics after a mediocre FIH Pro League.
India are placed in Group B at Paris 2024, alongside Australia, Belgium, Argentina, New Zealand, and Ireland.
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