[올림픽] Chopra wins ‘first gold’ in Indian athletics, 2.3 billion won cushion

(Seoul = News 1) Reporter Jeong Yun-young = Indian companies and governments donated $2 million (about 2.3 billion won) in prize money and gifts to Niraz Chopra, who won the men’s javelin throw at the Tokyo Olympics and became India’s first ever gold medal in athletics. AFP reported on the 8th that it promised.

Chopra, 23, who underwent surgery for an elbow injury two years ago, took first place in the men’s javelin throw the day before with a record of 87m58. India’s first track and field medal in 121 years since Norman Pritchard, who won silver in the men’s 200m and 200m hurdles in Paris in 1900.

Chopra also became the second Indian athlete to win a gold medal in an individual event. It is the first time in 13 years since Abinab Bindra, who won the men’s 10m air rifle at the 2008 Beijing Games.

In response, the Haryana state government said it would give Chopra a bonus of $800,000 (about 900 million won), while other state governments offered an additional $400,000 (about 460 million won). India’s largest education company, Baiju, has also pledged $270,000.

Baiju Rabindran, founder of Baiju, said, “India can transform from a sports-loving country into a sports-leading country only when athletes become heroes.”

In addition, the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) and the Chennai Super Kings, a professional cricket team in India, each agreed to pay $135,000 (about 150 million won), while the Indian Olympic Association paid $100,000 (about 115 million won). promised

Others have agreed to offer free air travel, luxury cars, and cash gifts.

India was ranked 67th by winning only two medals, one silver and one bronze, at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, but in this Tokyo Olympics, 7 medals including one gold medal, two silver medals and four bronze medals were harvested for a total of 48 seated above

Niraz Chopra. © Reuters=News1 © News1 Reporter Jeong Yun-young