7:caption
The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) has announced grand cash prizes for the medal winners from India in the ongoing Tokyo Olympics. Its secretary Jay Shah made the announcement on Twitter, announcing the various cash prizes for the medal-winning athletes of the country. Meanwhile, he also acknowledged the efforts of the Indian athletes at the Tokyo games as India recorded its best-ever medal tally.
Neeraj Chopra to receive INR 1 crore from BCCI
Indian athlete Neeraj Chopra bagged India's first gold medal in men’s javelin throw at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics with a monstrous throw of 87.58 m. Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian since Abhinav Bindra to win an individual Olympic gold medal. BCCI announced a cash award of INR 1 crore for Neeraj Chopra. There will be cash rewards of INR 50 lakh each for silver medalists Mirabai Chani and Ravi Kumar Dahiya. Meanwhile, the bronze medalists at Tokyo Olympics, PV Sindhu, Lovlina Borgohain and Bajrang Punia will be rewarded with cash prize of INR 25 lakh each.
In addition, the men's hockey team, which won the first Olympic medal for India after 41 years, were promised a cash reward of INR 1.25 crore.
India recorded its best-ever medal tally at Tokyo Olympics as it eclipsed the London 2012 mark. Neeraj Chopra's gold helped India surpass its previous best of 6 medals from the London Games in 2012. India finished its campaign with seven medals in total- two silver, four bronze and one gold medal.
In a separate tweet, Jay Shah wrote, "Our athletes have made the country proud by finishing on the podium at Tokyo2020. The BCCI acknowledges their stellar efforts and we are delighted to announce cash prizes for the medallists."
Neeraj dedicates gold medal to Milkha Singh
Neeraj Chopra fulfilled Indian athletics legend Milkha Singh’s last wish of seeing an Indian winning an Olympic medal in track and field. After winning India's first ever Olympic medal in athletics, Neeraj said, "I dedicate this medal to Milkha Singh. I hope he’s watching upon me from wherever he is." Neeraj also dedicated the gold medal to PT Usha and other Indian athletes who came close to winning an Olympic medal in the past.