21 July,2016 11:45 AM IST | | Ashwin Ferro
Beijing Olympics gold medal-winning shooter's father Apjit Singh Bindra says his son has extra motivation to succeed in Brazil as it is his last Olympics
New Delhi: Abhinav Bindra, India's only individual Olympics gold medal-winning shooter was conspicuous by his absence at the Indian Olympic Association's official send-off ceremony for the Rio-bound Indian contingent here on Monday.
Apjit Singh
However, his father Apjit Singh said there was no way his son could have been in the capital city at the time. "Abhinav is currently away in Munich preparing for the Games. He is totally focused and even I rarely get to speak to him. His sole concentration is on the Games and this is the way he likes to train in the build-up to the big one. He is keen to do well at this Games," Bindra Sr told mid-day.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics' 10m air rifle gold winner has two more reasons to look forward to Rio besides of course the prospect of becoming India's only double medallist in shooting at the Games a medal possibility.
Shooter Abhinav Bindra is currently training in Munich for the upcoming Rio Games. Pic/Getty Images
"Firstly, Abhinav is the flag-bearer of the biggest ever Indian Olympic contingent (121 athletes). I think that's the biggest honour for any sportsman - to be the face of sport in the country. And secondly this is his fifth and last Olympics. So obviously, there is that extra motivation," added his father, a Chandigarh-based industrialist. Finally, Bindra Sr said there is no burden of expectation on the ace marksman.
"There is absolutely no pressure on Abhinav. He is very relaxed and all I want from him is to go out there and try his best. In shooting, it's all about doing well on that particular day. I have no doubt that Abhinav will give his 200% in Rio."
