Abhinav Bindra to call it quits after Rio Olympics

Champion shooter Abhinav Bindra, who remains India’s sole individual Olympic gold medallist, on Friday said he will bring the curtains down on his illustrious career at the upcoming Rio Games where he will be the country’s flagbearer in the opening ceremony.

33-year-old Bindra, the 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medallist, said his 20-year-long sporting career has been a special one.

“As my sporting career which lasted 20 years draws to a close on the 8th of August, this is indeed special,” Bindra wrote on his twitter handle.

Bindra, who was on Friday chosen as the flagbearer of the Indian contingent for the Rio Games’ opening ceremony on August 5, called it an “ultimate” honour.“To be the flag bearer at the Olympic Games is an athletes ultimate honor.I am humbled & grateful to be considered worthy of this great honor,” Bindra said.

“I am sure the Indian Olympic Team would have the support of over a billion people as we march into the Rio Olympic Stadium.”