It`s time to look beyond cricket: Bindra

Do you believe that it is possible for Olympic sports to grow in this country? Is it actually possible to patronise sports other than cricket?

It is. We must first have a mindset towards that in amongst everybody involved in Olympic sports. That will also include you to ask such questions and question the growth of Olympic sports in India.

We finally have an Olympic gold and it`s a reality now. It`s also the responsibility of the media to cover sports outside cricket and give them their due.

Has life changed for you after winning the Olympic gold?

Not for me as a person, but of course there has been a lot of interest around me from the people of India and the media.

You haven`t participated in any event after the Olympics? Is there any specific reason for that?

It`s an Olympic Year, what else can better the Olympic Games in an Olympic year. For me the season ended right there and then. Of course there was the World Cup Final, but for me personally, it`s not really an important competition and I have given it a miss on previous occasions also.

And it`s not that one just goes on competing in competition one after another. There is a plan a sportsperson follows and it is not just a random thing. Shooting is not like cricket where you play one series and go right into another. We plan our years on with a goal and that being the Olympic Games and work our way around training and competition to give it our best during the games.

Tumultuous welcome for Olympic heroes