India's only Olympic Gold Medallist Abhinav Bindra will Retire after Rio

06/11/2016

Flag-bearer and ambassador for India at Rio Olympics, Abhinav Bindra, yesterday announced that he would be retiring after the Rio Olympics. Bindra was named yesterday as India's flag bearer at the opening ceremony, and he humbly accepted “the honor” before calling curtains on an illustrious era.

It is a lone honor and burden that Bindra carries –the only individual Olympic Gold medal winner for a country of a billion and more. Bindra saved India the blushes in the 2008 Olympic games at Beijing by winning the 10m air rifle event. The Olympian also had held the World Championship title in 2006 in the same event, and also won a Gold at the 2014 Commonwealth games. Bindra has carried the honor admirably over the years speaking out against the authorities, and standing up for the sport when needed.

"To be the flag bearer at the Olympic Games is an athletes ultimate honour. I am humbled & grateful to be considered worthy of this great honour," Bindra wrote on Twitter.

He followed it up saying, "I am sure the Indian Olympic Team would have the support of over a billion people as we march into the Rio Olympic Stadium."

He then followed it up with the announcement of his retirement.

To be the flag bearer at the Olympic Games is an athletes ultimate honor.I am humbled & grateful to be considered worthy of this great honor
— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) June 10, 2016

Bindra's exploits have inspired a number of youngsters to take up the Olympic sport, evidenced by the number of medal prospects the Indian contingent will send to Rio this year. One only wishes the Olympian ends his career on a high note with another Olympic Gold.

You can help Slum Soccer send 20 of our most talented footballers to represent INDIA at Homeless World Cup at Glasgow. Click here to know more.