The final day of the Paris 2024 Olympics has arrived, with India concluding their campaign with six medals. However, there is still anticipation surrounding Vinesh Phogat’s final decision, which could potentially add another medal to the tally. Meanwhile, former Indian shooter and 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medalist Abhinav Bindra has elevated India’s presence at the Olympics by receiving a prestigious honour in Paris—the Olympic Order. After receiving this esteemed award, Bindra had a brief conversation with RevSportz’s Editor-in-Chief, Boria Majumdar. Here are some highlights from their discussion.
You have been bestowed with the Olympic Order. First thoughts?
– Well, it is a matter of a great honour and I am truly humbled and overwhelmed to receive the highest recognition of the Olympic movement. Ever since I was a young boy, the Olympic rings gave me meaning and I pursued my own Olympic dream with a great amount of action. Post my career, I tried to give back to the Olympic movement, and the Olympic movement continues to give me a lot of meaning. So, this recognition only fuels my desire to keep working and keep working harder to keep contributing to the movement and then to society in general.
As one of the youngest, in fact the youngest from India. Thoughts on that?
– Well, what can I say? I think for me it has been always using the power of sport. For greater nation-building, the programs that I am running are meant for young people, for school kids, harnessing the power of sport, which to me go far beyond the field of play. And just trying to make sure that the youth of the country is able to create a culture for sport, which I believe is immensely important as a nation-building exercise. It is not just about our athletes winning gold medals. But the role of sport is far more than that and I am trying to use sport as an important vehicle to harness the energy of the youth in the right direction.
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EXCLUSIVE:
Olympic Gold Medallist Abhinav Bindra shares his reaction upon receiving the prestigious Olympic Order at #Paris2024.@AgeasFederal @Abhinav_Bindra @BoriaMajumdar @iocmedia @WeAreTeamIndia #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/ov71dRnwfu
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) August 11, 2024
The gesture and your meeting with Vinesh Phogat sort of symbolised the empathy that your work stands for. Can you tell us more about it?
– Before being an athlete, I am a human being and I think we all connect as humans. I think to show empathy is something that I learned in my sports career and I try my best to uphold those values that this great Olympic movement has taught me in every possible way. This Olympic movement is all about solidarity, to show solidarity, and empathy, to do the nation.
You have been elected as the second vice-chair of the global Olympic body’s athletes’ commission, thoughts on that?
It is a great responsibility. I have a year and a half still left on the commission. My mandate ends in 2026 and then to end up in this leadership role, again, a wonderful privilege and honour. I will try and do my best in the time remaining that I have to ensure that the athletes remain at the heart and center of the Olympic movement.
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