Medallists aim to take India high

By Our Correspondent

New Delhi

Aug. 27: Even as India revels in its newfound medal-winning status, the biggest democracy still has a long way to go before it is recognised as a powerful force in the Olympics, feel sportspersons.

Speaking at a felicitation ceremony here on Tuesday, India's gold medallist Abhinav Bindra said, "Winning three medals at Beijing has given us the opportunity to create an Olympic momentum in the country. It is our responsibility now to take our sports to a higher level."

With the Olympic fever still on, Bindra, who won the men's 10m air rifle event, called for sports federations to cash in on this success and provide the athletes with better facilities so that they could put up a better show at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

"We must now ensure that our athletes get the best opportunities and facilities so that we can perform even better at the London Olympic Games," he said.

Though bronze medallist Sushil Kumar has brought wrestling back into the spotlight, he was of the opinion he could have done better. "I was just a fight away from the gold. I was expecting to reach the finals and win gold. But I guess that is for the next time," Sushil said.

Though at Beijing, India's performance was its best so far in the Olympics, some athletes were disappointed by their own performance. Ace shooter Samresh Jung felt that way. "I am disappointed, but I am not losing hope. May be my training was not up to the mark. But I will definitely improve at the London Games," he said.

Responding to how disappointing it had been for Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Jung said, "He was expected to do better. But his one performance doesn't make him a bad shooter. There was so much pressure on him to perform and win a medal. However, one should not forget that Rathore is an Olympic medal winner already."

Archer Dola Banerjee has already set her eyes on the 2010 Commonwealth Games and 2012 London Olympics. "Even though I did not win, the whole experience has been great. I hope to do much better in 2010," she said.

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi said that the athletes would be given the best training ahead of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

"We have been allocated Rs 700 crore for the training of athletes. Of 365 days, at least 361 days will be spent in training. We will send our athletes abroad and even hire coaches to train them in India," Kalmadi said.

Apart from this, coaches for scientific training and sport management will also be hired in order to provide allround development to athletes.

The IOA presented Bindra with a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh, and Rs 10 lakh each to boxer Vijender Singh and Sushil Kumar. Athletes who reached the quarterfinal or finished in top-eight in their events were also awarded Rs 5 lakh each.