'Shooters will do well in Paris'

Beijing Olympics gold medallist Abhinav Bindra at the International Institute of Sports Management’s Convocation Ceremony at a city hotel yesterday. Pic/PTI

Beijing Olympics gold medallist Abhinav Bindra is confident that Team India can bag its biggest medal haul at the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Speaking at the International Institute of Sports Management's (IISM) Convocation Ceremony at a city hotel on Thursday, Bindra said that the Indian contingent should be able to touch the coveted double-digit tally. He drew inspiration from the record seven medals that the country's athletes bagged at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Good show in Tokyo

"We won seven in Tokyo without shooting firing at all, I think it's realistic to expect close to 10 medals, so I am hopeful for that. This is our largest shooting contingent [15] in history. I am very positive that we will do well. I am positive and hopeful that so many athletes have qualified with strong performances in the various domestic selection processes," said the ace marksman.

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Neeraj Chopra is the only Indian other than Bindra to have clinched an Olympic gold and the seasoned shooter has some words of advice for the javelin thrower ahead of the Paris Games that begin next month.

"All athletes know that yesterday doesn't count. All it matters is how you perform in the present day. So, I think my only advice to him is to focus in his process, remain in the present amount, with the profile he enjoys there will be a lot of eyeballs and expectations on him, but it's important to put all of that aside and just focus on what he's doing," said Bindra.

The former air rifle shooter is also hopeful that India will host the 2036 edition of the prestigious Games, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assurance during the International Olympic Committee (IOC) session conducted in Mumbai last year.

India's 2036 Oly hope

"I think the decision of allotting the Olympics for 2036 does not happen for the next couple of years. Of course, India has made the intentions very clear with the Honourable Prime Minister declaring that in the IOC session held here in Mumbai.

"Let's see how it pans out. As an Indian fan and athlete, I would love to see the Olympics come to India, and I am sure they will come here, the only question is when," Bindra signed off.