Bindra's shooting Gold makes him a new icon in Indian sports

Beijing, Aug 11 (UNI) Hailing Abhinav Bindra's historic victory at the Olympics here, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports M S Gill today said the country's young generation has found a new icon who represents a different sport.

The 25-year-old Bindra, who qualified for the final with a total score of 596 out of 600, nothed up 700.5 in the final to win India's first gold medal at the Olympics after a gap of 28 years.

''Every Indian is walking taller today. It is a great achievement in the history of Indian sports. It will give confidence to all the Indian sportspersons in every disicpline, '' Gill told mediapersons here today.

Reiterating that the feat will inspire sportspersons in the future Olympics and will give a mojor boost to Olympic sports in the country, the sports minister quipped,''Every young boy or girl watching the Olympics today will feel that he can also achieve a medal in the Olympics in the future.'' Striking the same note, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Suresh Kalmadi said,''Finally, we got an individual gold.

Youth in the country got a new icon in him and hope they are drawn more into Olympic sports.'' ''Cricket has been ruling the Indian sports but now the youngster have a role model, who plays some other sport,'' Kalmadi added.

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