Press Trust of India
New Delhi, June 10: India’s first Olympic gold medallist, shooter Abhinav Bindra was chosen Friday as the flagbearer of the Indian contingent at the Rio Games opening ceremony, August 5. The IOA confirmed that it has chosen the 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medallist to lead the team during the march past. Bindra will be making his fifth Olympic appearance this year.
Meanwhile, the shooter announced on his twitter handle that he would retire from the sport after the Rio Games.
“As my sporting career which lasted 20 years draws to a close on the 8th of August, this is indeed special (being honoured by IOA),” Bindra wrote on his twitter handle.
“To be the flagbearer at the Olympic Games is an athlete’s ultimate honour. I am humbled and grateful to be considered worthy of this great honour,” he added.
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) expressed its delight at the development. “He is India’s only singular gold medallist, he is also in the executive board of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF). We feel it’s a just decision, a wise decision and we whole-heartedly support it,” NRAI president Raninder Singh stated.
Winner of numerous medals at top international competitions including World Championships, World Cups, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, Bindra is also one of the goodwill ambassadors of the Indian contingent for the Rio Games and is working towards inspiring the athletes to give their best in the Brazilian city this summer.