(ATR) A party to mark the 69th anniversary of Indian independence was enjoyed by a big crowd of athletes, officials, dignitaries and members of the Indian community in Rio.
The celebration, which was held on Monday night at the Olympians Reunion Centre by EY (ORC) in Rio, hosted around 50 members of India’s Olympic Team who had finished competition.
"It was good to see lots of interaction between Indians based in Rio and the Olympians present and the spirit of the nation and the spirit of patriotism that was evoked," said General Secretary of the Indian Olympians Association and World Olympians Association board member, Malav Shroff.
The Indian Rio 2016 Olympic team is the nation's largest ever delegation with 123 athletes, and those present at the ORC function made the most of their experience, posing for photos with the Olympic torch, signing the Olympians wall and engaging with members of the Rio Indian community.
"On behalf of Indian Olympians and all Olympians here it’s fantastic to have the Indian community gathered in one place to celebrate our country on Independence Day," Shroff said.
"It’s normal that the Olympians should be at the center of sport and the Olympic Games and that is the big message that you get here is that athletes are the center and not anyone else."
The national anthem was played before speeches were broadcast from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee. This was followed by speeches in the room from India’s Ambassador to Brazil Sunil Lal and Sports Secretary Rajeev Yadav.
"It’s a great pleasure for us because we are away from home and away from our country but still we are gathered here today because we are celebrating Independence Day among our Indian Olympians in Rio," India’s men’s hockey captain PR Sreejesh said.
"Especially because we saw the president’s message and the prime minister’s speech so we feel like it is our home."
Written by Alice Wheeler in Rio de Janeiro
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