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Watch: Indian hockey team gets grand welcome, Air India gives special gesture
The bronze medal winning Indian men's hockey team were given a grand welcome as they returned to the country from the Paris Olympics 2024 on August 10, Saturday. The Indian team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, secured the third spot after beating Spain in the play-off match. This was the hockey team's second medal in a row at the Olympics, a feat they achieved for the first time since 1972.
Harmanpreet was leading the team out in Delhi as they reached the city on Saturday morning, as they were welcomed with garlands and tri-colour stoles. There was dhol playing in the background as the team made it out of the airport as the fans and media arrived in large numbers to meet the stars. The likes of Sukhjeet and Mandeep Singh were seen dancing to the tunes of dhol outside the airport as the fans cheered them on. You can see the full video below.
A few members of the team, including PR Sreejesh, were missing from the players who returned after the campaign. Sreejesh was selected as the joint-flagbearer during the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics, and he will be only returning after the close of the event.
Hockey India would also share a video showing Air India paying a special tribute to the bronze medal winners. While the players and their families were seated inside the flight from Paris, the pilot would inform everyone they were traveling with the hockey team and this started huge round of applause for the players as the cabin crew also joined in.
The players will now head to the Major Dhyanchand stadium on Saturday for a meet and greet session with fans and media personnel. The campaign in Paris saw India win a record-extending 13th medal at the games.
