New Delhi: Olympic Games bronze medallist shooter Gagan Narang feels that India should build on their best-ever performance in London and aim to double their medal tally at Rio de Janerio four years from now.
“We have been honoured and welcomed like heroes after our performance at the Olympics and I think now its time to build on whatever we achieved and double the medal tally in Rio Games,” Gagan said on the sidelines of a felicitation program here.
The medal winners at the London Games were awarded with cheques of Rs 15 lakhs for the silver medallists and Rs 10 lakhs for the bronze winners.
ONGC, the official sponsors of the Indian contingent, also awarded their London Olympians with a cheque of Rs 2 lakhs during the program, which was attended by dignatories and sportspersons alike.
Vijay Kumar, who won a silver at London, was awarded with a cheque of Rs 15 lakhs and the Indian pistol shooter said he hoped to come up with better performance at Rio.
“It was my first Olympics and I came up with a silver. i hope I can keep doing the hard work and come up with better performances at the next events,” he said.
M C Mary Kom, the only Indian woman boxer to win a medal at Olympics, advised the upcoming atheltes to keep pursuing their dreams and take inspiration from her feat and continue their sports even after marriage.
“In our country, no one expects women to continue with sports after marriage, but I hope youngsters will get inspired from my performance and continue after marriage.
“I won a medal even after marriage and having two kids. I came back to the ring after my kids became one year old and I think it will inspire others as well,” Mary Kom said.
Besides Mary Kom, Gagan and Vijay, silver medallist at the London Games Sushil Kumar was also present on the occasion.
His friend and fellow wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, who won the bronze in 60kg freestyle was down with food poisoning and could not attend the program.
Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal, who became the first badminton player to win an Olympic medal at London, also skipped the event because of prior engagements. (PTI)