A RevSportz Exclusive
If one man defined the gold standard in Indian sport before Neeraj Chopra came along, it was Abhinav Bindra. Having competed in three Olympics from Sydney 2000 onwards, the air-rifle ace finally sealed gold in Beijing in 2008. Bindra represented India in five successive Olympics, each time gunning for a medal, and was the most hardworking of athletes. His famous reference to the Olympics being a daily process of training and slogging, and not something to wake up to once in four years, still resonates.
Even when Bindra had put his heart and soul into a last attempt at Olympic glory in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, he had shut himself off from the outside world for over six months. That kind of penance is almost unthinkable . After finishing fourth in Rio, Bindra kept his promise. He flew back to his home away from home, Germany, and dumped his shooting equipment – the weapons, the tight jacket and a few more things.
Today, Bindra is more than just an Olympic medallist. As a legend, he has grown in stature, mentoring athletes, setting up a big foundation and giving back to sport. Such is his impact on the global stage that he commands great respect from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency).
His door is open to all athletes who want his tips or guidance. So, after the Tokyo Olympics, when two gold medallists – Bindra and Chopra – met, the exchange was brilliant. Bindra has always kept a close watch on other athletes and their pursuits, and always shown them great respect.
India’s shooters have sealed 13 quota places till now for the 2024 Paris Olympics. More places could be clinched in 2024, as had been reported by this website last week. In an exclusive interview with RevSportz, Bindra shared his views on these developments, and much more.
RevSportz: Abhinav, your thoughts on the quota places won by Indian shooters till now?
Abhinav Bindra: It’s heartening to see the remarkable performance of our Indian shooters in securing quota places. Their achievement is a testament to the incredible depth of talent we possess, and it reflects the unwavering dedication of the athletes, the tireless efforts of coaches and support staff, as well as the strong support from the NRAI and our government. The rebound from the Tokyo Games (Olympics) and the consistency in delivering results highlights the potential and resilience of our shooting contingent.
RevSportz: How do you feel about the depth in Indian shooting today?
Bindra: Absolutely, there is unprecedented depth in Indian shooting today. We are witnessing a pool of talent that is unparalleled on the global stage. While other nations are grappling with a plateau in the growth of their shooting sports, India is surging ahead. Our young shooters are not just competing but are setting new standards, which speaks volumes about the development and nurturing of talent in our country.
RevSportz: Your thoughts on a shooter winning an Olympic quota place for India not being a guarantee to make the cut for Paris 2024. After all, there will be trials in 2024 as well…
Bindra: In light of the depth we have in Indian shooting, the policy that a quota does not guarantee an automatic spot for Paris is a judicious approach. Indian shooting has evolved tremendously over the last decade. With such fierce competition and the possibility of most athletes being first-time Olympians, ensuring that those in peak form represent us is crucial.
RevSportz: India has not won a shooting medal after the 2012 London Olympics. How does Paris look?
Bindra: While I can’t predict the future, my optimism for Indian shooting remains high. We have an incredibly talented pool of shooters who have the potential to excel on the Olympic stage. With consistent support and the advantage of shooting being held at a distance from Paris, which may allow athletes to focus without the overwhelming ‘Olympic vibe,’ I am bullish about India’s prospects (of course the same conditions apply to other nations). We are not certain of the participation of Russian athletes (as neutral athletes), who have been strong competitors historically. That might also influence the dynamics. But regardless, our focus should remain on our own preparation and performance.