Support must be consistent in victory and defeat: Mirabai Chanu

Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu opened up about the fluctuating support athletes receive from fans as she joined Beijing 2008 bronze medallist Vijender Singh during a panel discussion at the FICCI Turf 2025 Global Sports Summit.

The session, one of the marquee discussions of the event, explored the systems, mindset and long-term backing required to produce India’s next generation of Olympic medalists.

Advertisement

Reflecting on the contrasting reactions to her performances, Mirabai highlighted how quickly public sentiment can shift. “When I won silver at the Tokyo Olympics, there were thousands waiting to welcome me home. But after my injury at the Asian Games while competing, when I couldn’t win a medal, I arrived in India and there was no one at the airport.”

“If we want our next Olympic heroes to truly succeed, the support must be consistent in victory and defeat. Athletes perform better when they know they are valued no matter the result and have the backing of everyone,” she added.

She further underscored the urgency of investing in rising talent to sustain India’s progress on the world stage.

“We must focus on the next generation of athletes aspiring to bring medals for India. The most important area to work on is ensuring that their requirements and preparations are met fully. There should be no shortcomings and they must be given the right platform to rise,” she said.

Vijender Singh, speaking about the psychological edge required for elite competition, stressed the significance of mental toughness. “We are the chosen ones, the lucky ones. It’s critical to have the right mindset. No matter who we compete with, we must go out there believing we can win. We need to think of ourselves as the best and give our best. The mentality is the most important.”

Adding another key dimension to the discussion, Charu Sharma, Director of the Pro Kabaddi League, highlighted the foundational role of families in shaping future champions.

“India needs more parents like Mirabai’s mother Tombi, who encourage their children to pursue sport whole-heartedly. It will change our country’s fortunes at the global level,” Sharma said.

Collectively, the panel called for unwavering support for athletes, stronger grassroots investments, greater parental encouragement and robust sports systems as essential pillars for India to build its next wave of Olympic heroes.