Dola oozing with confidence to bag a medal at Olympics

New Delhi, Aug 4 (UNI) World Champion and Beijing-bound Dola Banerjee has expressed satisfaction over her preparations for the Olympics and exuded confidence to bag a medal in Archery in the prestigious extravagant event that kicks off from August 8.

''I know that over a billion hopes are resting on me and I am well prepared for the competition. I have been getting scores of 219-220, which is very good even by the standards of Olympics,'' Banerjee told UNI here last night.

Dola, however, admitted that the Archery contingent is under some pressure to perform but added that she has prepared herself well enough to counter the weather conditions that are expected in Beijing.

''Weather plays an important role especially in archery.

But every participant will face those problems and one, who is able to keep control on his skills under such conditions, will definitely separate himself from the rest.

''We have been practising in foggy weathers for past five years and as such it is not a problem for us,'' she added.

Along with Dola, Pranitha Vardhineni, L Bombayala Devi will represent India at the Olympics in the women's category, while Mangal Singh Champia is lone representation in the men's category.

The 2005 Arjuna awardee said Bombayala Devi is a bright prospect for India at the Olympics and has good chances of winning a medal for the country.

''I have great expectations from Bombayala and she surely has chances of winning a medal for India. Off late, she has been performing really well and during pratices, she has been getting good scores,'' Dola conceded.

UNI RAR PY DS1612