Bedlam broke out Thursday during a felicitation function in New Delhi for the Indian achievers at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
The successful Olympians countered a chaotic reception after a large number of fans flooded the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, where the function was held, to catch a glimpse of their favourite athletes.
The situation spun out of control after the excited mob began to push into the crowds in a bid to find out a comfortable position to catch up the function at the stadium. The mob eventually ended up clustering the dais and created a stampede-like situation, troubling the other Olympic participants, friends and relatives of the athletes who were seated in the front row, said the reports.
Grapplers Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt, women boxing champion Marry Kom, shooters Vijay Kumar and Gagan Narang and ace shuttler Saina Nehwal received cash awards by the government at the felicitation function.
The function left a bitter taste in everyone's mouth, as the various sports federation officials and well-known sports celebrities flayed the poor management skills of the Sports Ministry in organizing such an important event.
Visibly irked after being sideline at the function, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, President of the Wrestling Federation of India, slammed the mismanagement of the officials.
"We have been insulted after being invited to such a badly managed function. I have not attended such a chaotic function in my life. We should not have come for this event," said Singh, as quoted by the Times of India.
Army Chief Felicitate Olympians
Meanwhile, silver medallist Vijay Kumar was also felicitated by the Army on Thursday along with other 14 sportsmen who represented the country at the London Olympics.
Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh promoted Subedar Viay Kumar to the rank of Subedar Major. He was also given a cash award of Rs 30 Lakh along with a commendation card. The other thirteen Olympians too were felicitated by the Army Chief and given a cash award of Rs 1 Lakh each, along with commendation cards.
Speaking on the occasion, Gen Singh appreciated the performance of all the sportsmen, as also the tremendous progress made by the Army's Mission Olympics, which was established in 2001.
