'There has been a change in the thinking of players', said Gagan Narang on the possibilities of winning medals in Paris Olympics

Gagan Narang has been given the responsibility of Chef de Mission in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Now he has said that the mentality of the players has changed and their thinking has changed.

Image Source : GettyGagan Narang

Gagan Narang: Gagan Narang won a bronze medal in shooting for India at the London Olympics 2012. This time he is serving as Chef de Mission for the Paris Olympics 2024. This is an important administrative position. Keeping in mind the convenience and needs of the participating athletes, one has to remain in constant touch with the organizing committee. Now he has told that the mindset of Indian athletes has changed in the last few years. Their confidence has reached a different level.

There has been a change in the mentality of the players: Gagan Narang

In an exclusive interview with India TV's Sports Editor Sameep Rajguru, he said that today there has been a huge change in the level of motivation and thinking of our athletes. We used to be scared because other countries were better. But gradually it has changed, the mindset has changed. People started watching and playing sports. Then we performed brilliantly. Today's athletes do not just go to participate, they go to perform. Anyone among the top 8 or 5 today wants to win a medal and not just any medal but a gold medal. This is the difference in the thinking of today's athletes.

Gagan Narang is proud of this

On playing in four Olympics as an athlete, Gagan Narang said that I feel happy and proud to be one of the few Chef de Mission who is also an Olympic medalist. It is an honour for me. I was contributing to the shooting athletes and now I am able to contribute to all Indian athletes. It is a responsible and pressure-filled job. I can handle pressure. Like I did in London. It is a different kind of pressure

He said that the support received from the government this time has never been received before. The support has increased in the last few years, the support of TOPS players has increased, they have got all the facilities they wanted. There is unprecedented coordination between the ministry and SAI, IOA NSF. Hopefully the athletes will be inspired and win this medal.