It is a privilege to be part of Olympic torch relay: Manavjit

New Delhi, Apr 16 (UNI) World champion shooters Abhinav Bindra and Manavjit Sandhu today said it was a dream of every sportsperson to be a part of Olympic movement, be it the games or the Torch Relay and ''we are privileged'' to be associated with it.

''I am really honoured to have been invited by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to run in the relay. I am associated with the Olympic movement for the last 13 years and it is the driving force for me,'' Bindra told newspersons on the eve of the relay.

Not wanting to talk about the pull out by some high profile personalties, the rifle shooter said,''There have been times when we did not get the chance to take part in the run but today I am proud to be running for my country for the spirit which is of the utmost importance.'' Trap shooter Sandhu was very categorical in his assertion, saying,''there was no question of giving the torch relay a miss.'' ''It's an individual choice whether one wants to run or not and I am definitely not going to miss it. It would be a proud moment of my life and I am going to make it,'' he added .

Rajinder Singh Rahelu, the weightlifting bronze medal winner in the Athens Paralympics in 2004 and Sagarika Ghadge of 'Chak de India' fame said they were thrilled to be a part of the the relay tomorrow.

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