Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra was uncharacteristically excited about the prospect of competing in London, “a multi-cultural city, very special with its spirit and fantastic energy,'' as he unveiled the count-down clock, along with five-time World champion Mary Kom, to mark the celebration of ‘one year to go' for Olympics, at the British High Commissioner's residence here on Wednesday.
The World champion who went on to become the first individual Olympic champion for India at the Beijing Games in 2008, Bindra recalled his 'unbelievable' last shot 10.8 that clinched him the gold, in a short video clip that captured his training base back home.
Giving an insight into the sport of shooting, Bindra said that the difference between the gold, and finishing 20th, could be a matter of two millimetres.
He said that after climbing the mountain, he found nothing, and it took some time and effort for him to refocus and reset his goals post Beijing.
“It is incredibly challenging, and I enjoy the challenge. I will try and do my best. If I make it to London, great, otherwise I will look at 2016,'' said Bindra, who has won the Olympic quota, but will have to get the nod to represent the country in an internal selection process.
Inspirational video
Olympic hopeful, Mary Kom also had an inspirational video footage, as part of BBC's world Olympic dreams, showing the enthusiasm she had generated back home in Manipur, but was realistic in saying that she was looking forward to qualify for the Olympics.
“I will try my best for my country in 2012 London Olympics,'' said Mary Kom, who along with Bindra, was presented the Olympic badge, mascot and a memento from the official time keeper of the Games, Omega, at the brief function.
On the occasion, short video clips showed how systematically London had gone about the task of holding the Games, at an estimated cost of £ 9 billion, after it was selected in 2005. It was mentioned that 3.5 million tickets had been already sold.
Ten stamps designed on the theme ‘Friendship through Sport and Games' in the backdrop of the London Games, selected from works done by students of 130 schools across India was also displayed prominently, to mark the count down.
