Olympic Champion Abhinav Bindra Shares Wisdom with Young Athletes Ahead of Paris Olympics

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The young generation of sportspersons is all ears when India's first individual Olympic champion, Abhinav Bindra, is at the centre stage.

The ace rifle shooter won men's 10m air rifle gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. His outstanding feat has since not only inspired youngsters to take up precision shooting but excel in other sports too.

Indeed! International rifle shooter Akhil Sheoran from Uttar Pradesh was one of those inspired by Bindra's historic gold medal-winning feat in China in 2008. Sheoran, 29, a bronze medalist at the 2023 World Shooting Championships in men's 50m rifle 3 positions, narrowly missed to make the cut for the Paris Olympic Games.

Bindra recently graced the send-off ceremony of the Paris-bound athletics contingent in Chandigarh.

It was worth taking notes!

"Young generation is more confident," was Bindra's opening remark. "Sports has developed over the last decade and more people are interested in investing in sports."
Bindra further deliberated on energy management during competition saying, it is a vital part of preparation for the Olympic Games. "Everyone is nervous. But be smart to handle pressure on the given day," was his advice to young athletes.

Bindra was candid in saying he struggled to boost his confidence level as he lacked self-belief. But was innovative enough to think positively about his ability to withstand high levels of competitive pressure.

He designed a self-respect draft to be successful at the Beijing Olympic Games. "Every day before going to bed I stood in front of the mirror and asked a question---"Have I done my best today?"

That self-respect rehearsal over a long period eventually enabled him to move forward step by step and write a glorious chapter in China in 2008. Bindra made his Olympic debut as a teenager at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He was a finalist at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. "I did everything I had," he had said on missing podium finish at the Athens Games

The Olympic champion exhorted young athletes to train smartly in the last lap of Olympic Games preparation. "Last lap of preparation is important. All the hard work has been done. Train smart to execute on the given day."

Bindra added: "No matter how hard you train; you will face new challenges that you didn't anticipate."