We should celebrate all sports and athletes equally as much as we celebrate cricket and cricketers: Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir.

Rakesh Thapliyal 

New Delhi: Gautam Gambhir, Member of Parliament and former India cricketer has given an unique suggestion that we should celebrate all sports and athletes equally as much as we celebrate cricket and cricketers.

On Tuesday Gambhir was speaking at the grand welcome ceremony of Indian contingent returned after a memorable stint at the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2023 in Berlin.

Special Olympics Bharat athletes displayed tremendous performance at the Games, finishing their campaign with 202 medals (76 gold, 75 silver and 51 bronze).

Special Olympics Bharat Gold Medallists being honoured at the Welcome Ceremony.

Gambhir also suggested that, “I believe we need to remove phrases like ‘Special Olympics’ or ‘Para Olympics’. It should just be ‘Olympics’, because all athletes put in equal hardwork, be it any sport or event.” He expressed his views freely in the presence of Chief Guest Hon’ble 14th President of India, Shri Ramnath Kovind Ji and Guest of Honours Hon’ble Minister of Ports, Waterways & Shipping and Minister of AYUSH Shri Sarbananda Sonowal.

Gambhir said, “I want to congratulate all the 202 medalists who made the nation proud at the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2023 in Berlin. At the same time, I also congratulate those athletes who did not win, as they represented a population of 140 crore people. In sports, we always talk about statistics and numbers. But as a sportsperson, I know how much effort and dedication is needed to represent a country. All athletes, whether they win or not, put in equal hardwork behind the scenes. I believe we need to remove phrases like ‘Special Olympics’ or ‘Para Olympics’. It should just be ‘Olympics’, because all athletes put in equal hardwork, be it any sport or event. As a former cricketer, I believe our nation will become a real sporting nation only when we celebrate all sports and athletes equally as much as we celebrate cricket and cricketers. I am sure, one day it shall come true.”