Cricketers, Olympic athletes celebrate India’s 78th Independence Day

India celebrates its 78th Independence Day on August 15, 2024, and everyone, from cricketers to footballers to former and current stars across all sports, extended their heartfelt greetings on social media. Be it Indian cricket all-rounder Hardik Pandya or two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra - the sporting heroes celebrated the country’s Independence Day with their fans.

Meanwhile, the Indian contingent at the recently concluded Paris Olympic Games 2024 had a mixed outing. While some came agonisingly close to winning an Olympic medal but finished fourth in their respective disciplines, others, like ace Shooter Manu Bhaker, created history, becoming the first Indian athlete – male or female, to win two medals in a single edition.

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Besides her, Neeraj also won the silver medal in javelin throw while the Indian men’s hockey won their second successive bronze at the Summer Games, beating Spain in the medal match. There were three medal debutants: Sarabjot Singh and Swapnil Kusale in Shooting and Aman Sehrawat in Freestyle Wrestling.

However, what made headlines at the sporting spectacle was grappler Vinesh Phogat, who got disqualified from the gold medal match for being overweight by 100gms. Although she appealed against the decision at the Court of Arbitration (CAS), the verdict came against her.

Check out the posts on X by Indian sports athletes -

Playing for my country will always come first for me. Wishing you all a very happy Independence Day 🇮🇳❤️ pic.twitter.com/I7gcU8fkJn — hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) August 15, 2024

In everything we do, let’s think of our country. By working hard with honesty and love, we can each make a difference. ❤️

Happy Independence Day 🇮🇳❤️🧿 pic.twitter.com/OTxoucWIow — SheetalArcher (@ArcherSheetal) August 15, 2024

Happy Independence Day! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/TNtxe1Tpzw — Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) August 15, 2024

Happy Independence Day! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/iZij8uwGHI — Sreeja Akula (@SreejaAkula31) August 15, 2024

Happy Independence Day, India 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/Mtlz5f68cB — Shreyas Iyer (@ShreyasIyer15) August 15, 2024

As a sportsperson, I’ve learned the value of freedom on the field, but it’s the freedom of our nation that gives us the strength to dream big. Happy Independence Day! 🇮🇳 #JaiHind #FreedomToDream #HappyIndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/cOkTpIr6dD — Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) August 15, 2024

Happy Independence Day 🇮🇳🫡 pic.twitter.com/8dTEt79fQX — geeta phogat (@geeta_phogat) August 15, 2024

Wishing a very Happy Independence Day to all my fellow countrymen 😇
May the tricolour always fly high!
Jai Hind! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/m4Pi7gTPj8 — Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) August 15, 2024

स्वतंत्रता दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ। जय हिन्द! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/Wuz613NgSH — Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) August 15, 2024

Proud Indian 🇮🇳

Wishing you all a memorable Independence Day! May the spirit of freedom and patriotism fill your heart with pride.

Jai hind 💪#78th #independenceday #aug15th #jaihind #🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/PZtqaq8cGp — sreejesh p r (@16Sreejesh) August 15, 2024

झंडा उचा रहे हमारा 🇮🇳🙏

Happy Independence Day to all 🤗 #proudindian 🇮🇳#JaiHind 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/Jfq63DrpRL — Lalit Upadhyay (@lalithockey) August 15, 2024

#OnThisDay in 1936, the Indian hockey team, led by the legendary Dhyan Chand, delivered a spectacular performance to secure their third consecutive Olympic gold. 🏅🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/R3XqI4JibJ — Olympic Khel (@OlympicKhel) August 15, 2024