Abhinav Bindra chosen as India's flagbearer at Rio Olympics
Abhinav Bindra, India’s only individual Olympic gold medalist, has been chosen as the flagbearer of the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony of the Rio Games. Participating in his fifth Olympics, the shooter has been confirmed by the IOA as choice to lead the contingent on August 5.
The 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medalist is also one of the goodwill ambassadors of the Indian contingent for the Rio Games and is actively working towards inspiring and helping athletes to give their best at the Games. He is the first and the only individual Olympic gold medalist from India at the quadrennial event.
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“He is India's only singular gold medallist, he is also in the executive board of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF). We feel it's a just decision, a wise decision and we whole-heartedly support it,” The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) president Raninder Singh told the PTI.
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
Two-time medalist, wrestler Sushil Kumar was the flag-bearer at the 2012 London Games.