Before and laughter

It’s an occasion that comes every four years, so it was obvious that the normally cricket-crazy shutterbugs...

It’s an occasion that comes every four years, so it was obvious that the normally cricket-crazy shutterbugs couldn’t get enough of a melee of faces not all that used to the limelight.

But this was the sending off to the Olympics, and the string of patriotism running through the afternoon was worthy of the long wait it is used to seeing. The undercurrent of hope and the happy, excited faces clearly cherished the importance they were given as they prepared to take on the world. Hopefully, there’s something more to smile about once the Games begin.

In trap shooter Manavjit Singh Sandhu’s opinion, public support is what is required to sustain efforts at the highest level. “Give us support, and we will do our best. We have got good support from the government and we hope for it to continue in the future. We are the best of the lot in India, and that is why we are representing the country. We hope to bring glory to the nation,” he said.

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Similar were the views of other players present. “We have toiled and sweated for long. We should be able to deliver the goods at the right moment,” said rifle shooter Avneet Sindhu.

Ready for the big stage

Pugilist Akhil Kumar punched his fist in the air, indicating all is fine with his wrist. “I am ready for the big event,” he said with a big smile.

However, the difference between winner and loser could be just a decimal point, particularly in shooting. “All the shooters are more or less at the same level. Whoever is able to withstand the pressure will be the winner,” were the views of pistol shooter Samresh Jung.

In all, 57 athletes from 13 disciplines will represent the nation in Beijing. The IOA is yet to decide on the flag-bearer. The first batch of the Indian contingent — a group of five rifle and pistol shooters, namely Avneet Sindhu, Anjali Bhagwat, Gagan Narang, Samresh Jung and Sanjeev Rajput, will leave on Saturday for Bangkok for training and then proceed to Beijing from there.