Santhi Soundarajan has found a sympathiser in the form of Olympian shooter Anjali Bhagwat, who termed the incident as “shameful” where the 2006 Asian Games medallist was forced to work as a daily-wager in a brick kiln to earn her living.
“It’s sad that such thing has happened in our society.
It’s shameful. The athletes should be given at least a central or state government job for their financial stability, in lieu of what they have done for the country,” Bhagwat told PTI on the sidelines of an event organised by ‘Youtube’ to launch an anthem for the Olympics.
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Soundarajan, who failed a gender test and was subsequently stripped of her silver medal in the 800m at the 2006 Doha Asian Games, saw herself working as a daily-wager in a brick kiln, slogging eight hours to earn Rs 200 every day.
Meanwhile, Bhagwat said that the Indian shooters have a good chance at the London Olympics to bring medal glory to the nation.
“Beijing Games gold-medallist Abhinav Bindra, world champion Gagan Narang and Rojan Sodhi are best bets,”she said.
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Asked about the other medal prospects, the former world number one shooter said, “Boxer M.C.Mary Kom, shuttler Saina Nehwal and archer Deepika Kumari are also good prospects.”
“China is our main opponent in shooting, while Germany and USA can also spring few surprises in some of the events,” she added.
The Royal Artillery Barracks will host the shooting competition and Anjali felt that it would be difficult to control the shots during windy conditions in outdoor ranges.
“Despite this, I am confident that our shooters will bring more than one medal in the discipline.”
Youtube India today launched a special theme song, ‘Aap Agar Saath Hain Tou Jeet Bhi Saath Hai’ by noted music composer Shantanu Moitra and lyricist Swanand Kirkire.
Youtube, in partnership with International Olympic Committee, will bring live coverage of the London Olympics.