The athletes have also recognised that their Birmingham feats deserve applause but they will have to up their game for Paris, and they are ready for that. Jeremy Lalrinnunga claimed, after his Commonwealth win, that the path has been paved for Paris. He is looking at the biggest stage of all.

All of us, spectators, watching on television, following virtually or many physically present, feel that hunger and we should be moved to happiness. India’s efforts at multi-sport strength are bearing fruit; for many it may not be at the pace they would like, but even the most cynical would have to agree that it is. We still have huge strides and gaps to close, but we cannot lose heart at only these medals or the medal count. The stars are showing that they want to wrest that gold, and we too, cheering them on, may be proud of the bronze and silver but have started believing we are good enough for gold. ‘Go for gold’ is not an empty, gung-ho phrase, it has passion, meaning and belief.