Abhinav Bindra's career will come to a close on August 8 in Rio de Janeiro, eight years after he won India's first individual Olympics gold in Beijing, the shooter announced on Twitter. He had won the gold on August 11 in 2008. Bindra had already announced his retirement as an active shooter last year during the Asian Games in Incheon and had said he would continue as a `hobby shooter' till Rio. Bindra's event, 10m air rifle, is scheduled to be held on August 8. His tweets were part of his acceptance note after he was named as the flag bearer for the Rio Games by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
“To be the flag bearer at the Olympic Games is an athlete's ultimate honour. I am humbled and grateful to be considered worthy of this great honour,” Bindra wrote on Twitter. “As my sporting career which lasted 20 years draws to a close on the 8th of August, this is indeed special,” he added.
When contacted, the shooter refused to reveal anything more. “I think my tweets are pretty clear, there is nothing that needs clarification,” he responded when asked whether he will retire completely or he may participate in select shooting events. The former world champion is also one of the goodwill ambassadors of the Indian contingent for the Rio Games and would cheer and inspire the Indian contingent after his event is over.
