They are placed in Group A with Germany, Netherlands, Ireland, Argentina, and Canada.
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Badminton: Saina Nehwal, already an Olympic Bronze medallist at London will be aiming to become the second Indian athlete after Sushil Prasad to win two individual Olympic medal, Saina has been seeded fifth at the Olympic, but as recent results in the World Series tournament suggests, it is too early to call somebody a clear favourite in the women’s singles draw.
Chances are the success of the All India cricket team’s tour to Britain in 1911, a tour organized by the Maharaja of Patiala, the leading patron of Indian sport, acted as a serious catalyst for India’s Olympic participation.
Bindra will be joined by London Olympics bronze-medallist Gagan Narang, who will compete in three events, in his fourth appearance.
The biggest and by far the best bet for India’s golden dreams at the Olympics would be ace shooter Abhinav Bindra.
Rio de Janeiro, Aug 4 (IANS) With India’s largest contingent travelling to the 2016 Summer Olympics here, billions back home will hope that the blend of experience, youth and debutants participating in the Games will go the extra mile and script history in the biggest extravaganza in the world of sports. “It is a must and it will help them prepare better”, stated Oltmans.
Felipe Almeida Wu (Brazil): The young Brazilian has emerged as the number one ranked player after he had won the gold medals in the ISSF World Cups held in Bangkok and Baku this year. Let me clarify, that the facility arrangement and infrastructure is responsibility of the Rio Olympic Organising Committee. India don’t have a representation in the men’s team ranking round. With the more articulate P.R. Sreejesh taking over the captaincy from star midfielder Sardar Singh, the Indians will be hoping to go all the way.
But overall the team coached by Roelant Oltmans looked consistent and is primed to make the last eight under the new format. That people are talking like that about the team again, is because we had a good year. “All small issues are being attended to by our officials in consultation with IOA, Federations and Rio Olympic Committee”, said Goel.
The Indians have been arriving in the village in small numbers, but now most have settled in.
Also Kerala jumper Renjith Maheswary, who touched 17.30m his best in six years recently, will be closely watched alongwith the trio of steeplechasers Lalita Babar, Sudha Singh and marathoner OP Jaisha.
This year will mark the debut of rugby sevens in which teams are made up of seven players instead of the usual 15, while each half is reduced to seven minutes from the usual 40. We have shown that one can make a career out of hockey in India.
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In London 2012, India had doubled Beijing’s tally of three and it remains to be seen whether they can sustain the same growth rate despite the obstacles.
