NEW DELHI -- The Indian Olympic Association on Friday chose Abhinav Bindra as the flag-bearer of the country's contingent for the Rio Games' opening ceremony on August 5. Shortly after the announcement, Bindra confirmed that he will call it quits after the games in Brazil.
As my sporting career which lasted 20 years draws to a close on the 8 th of August , this is indeed special.
- Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) 10 June 2016
Bindra, the 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medallist, will be making his fifth Olympic appearance this year.
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) expressed its delight at the development. "He is India's only [individual] gold medallist," NRAI president Raninder Singh said. "He is also in the executive board of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF). We feel it's a just decision, a wise decision and we whole-heartedly support it."
Wrestler Sushil Kumar, a double Olympic medallist, had been India's flag-bearer at the 2012 London Games.