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New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi will flag off `Run For Rio’ on July 31, 2016 in New Delhi. This was announced by Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel at a press conference on Monday. He said that with a view to celebrate the Olympic mood, especially when India is sending its largest ever contingent of 119 athletes, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) through the Sports Authority of India (SAI) is organizing a Mass Run called “Run for Rio” on July 31 at 7 am.
Goel said around 20,000 school children will participate in the Run, which will be flagged off by PM Narendra Modi. He said that the Run will commence from Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium (MDCNS), India Gate, and conclude at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JNS), Lodhi Road, New Delhi. PM Modi will also release a publication of SAI on “Indian Olympics Journey,” which will carry interesting information on country’s Olympics achievements and preparations for the future, the minister said. Goel said the objective of the Run was to not only demonstrate to our athletes that the whole country is proud of them and wishes them all the best in the Rio Olympics competitions, but also to connect public at large, especially children and youth, with the Olympic spirit and power of sports. He added that the Run will be conducted in the most professional manner.
Highlighting the features of the event, Goel said that it is for the first time that a Mass Run of such magnitude is being held to celebrate the spirit of Olympics in the country. Similar Runs on a smaller scale will be held at the SAI Regional Centres at Sonepat, Kolkata, Bhopal, Gandhinagar and Thiruvananthapuram. Over 20,000 school children from Government and private schools have confirmed their participation. Each and every participant will be registered on-line. The buses will be arranged by respective schools. The entire route of the RUN will carry the mood of Olympics with appropriate branding. Arrangements will be there for water, mobile toilets and medical help at close intervals throughout the route. Each participant will be given an attractive T-Shirt carrying the logo of Rio Olympics-2016 and it will also carry the slogan “RUN FOR RIO – KHELO AUR JIYO.” Apart from the T-Shirt, every participant will get an attractive medal for finishing the Run, Goel said. Each participant will also be entitled to receive an e-certificate on completion of the Run. The e-certificate can be downloaded on-line by giving the registration details.