Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke virtually with the Tokyo Olympic-bound Indian sportspersons on Tuesday and wished them luck and said that the nation is backing them to shine at the Summer Games.

“Don’t be bogged down by expectations, just give your best,” PM Modi said during the interaction.

Here’s what the sportspersons said after interacting with PM Modi.

Table tennis player Manika Batra: “It was a good initiative and all athletes would’ve been motivated. I think we need things like this at a time when Olympics is getting closer and we are nervous and under pressure,” ANI quoted her as saying.

Shooter Elavenil Valarivan: “It is an honor to interact with the PM. It was really encouraging and motivating. I thank him for interaction with the athletes and I’m privileged to be a part of it. I wish all the athletes good luck for the games,” ANI quoted her as saying.

Badminton player PV Sindhu: “It was an honour & absolute pleasure speaking to PM Modi with the rest of the Indian contingent. I’d like to thank him & entire nation for continuous support & we hope to make you proud at Olympics,” she tweeted.

Sprinter Dutee Chand: “I feel very proud and motivated to perform well at the Tokyo Olympics. I felt very happy to speak with PM Modi. I would request everyone to give us blessings so we can win medals in the Tokyo Olympics and make the country proud,” ANI quoted her as saying.

Indian hockey team captain Manpreet Singh said: “It was fantastic to interact with PM Modi ahead of Tokyo Olympics. He always encourages us to perform to the best of our abilities & his motivational words have inspired us before the biggest competition of our lives.”

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics is set to begin on July 23. Heavy and strict COVID-19 protocols are put in place to curb the spread of the virus.