New Delhi, On Sunday, as a means to encourage the Indian contingent at the Olympics beginning on August 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the ‘Run for Rio’ in Delhi.

Thousands of school children and youth participated in 5km run, from Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to express the nation’s support to the Indian athletes at Rio.

“The government would focus on providing facilities and sports infrastructure at the grassroots level, especially, for indigenous and popular sports”, said, Sports minister Vijay Goel, whose ministry organized the event.

While emphasizing that the 119 Indian athletes who have qualified for the Olympics have done so after a lot of trials, Modi said, that they were not just there as individuals but as upholders of the pride of 125 crore Indians.

“Whenever an Indian team goes abroad, it’s not just on the field of play but in their behavior. I am confident that our players will win hearts with their conduct during the Games,” he added.