New Delhi:
In what can be termed a huge honour, Abhinav Bindra, India's only individual Olympic gold medallist, has been chosen to be the international shooting body`s representative for IOC`s elite International Forum, to be held in Singapore from June 27 to 29.
Bindra will be among a select few to attend the International Olympic Committee forum, where the sport will be discussed at length.
"Abhinav Bindra, India`s lone Olympic gold medallist in air rifle shooting, has been selected by the parent International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) to be its nominee representative for the IOC`s elite 6th International Athletes` Forum in Singapore from 27th? 9th June, 2013," the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) said in a statement.
Naturally, the NRAI was thrilled with the selection of the 30-year-old Bindra, who shot to glory with a historic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics five years ago.
"His selection is a very big honour for our country and National Rifle Association of India. It has been bestowed to Abhinav where he will discuss the issues concerning world shooting," the statement added.
In a bid to find a way for India`s return to the Olympic movement, Bindra had in May represented the athletes in the meeting among the representatives of the Indian Olympic Association, Sports Ministry and the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne.
The NRAI further stated, "Abhinav represented Indian athletes` case very forcefully at IOC for bringing the disbanded IOA back to IOC`s fold."
"I'm ecstatic about the win, my third this year. The double win of the weekend feels incredible and is crucial for the championship, which I'm leading now. In the first race, I didn't get the best start but I recovered and was able to fight for the lead position," Locatelli said.
Rinaldi said, "The first race was great though tough. We were swapping positions during every lap and fought up to the finish line. I was happy with second place. I'm truly sorry for crashing out at the last turn in the second race. I led the race for many laps and tried to pull away in the closing stages, but both Locatelli and Manzi managed to overtake me with few turns left. I took back the position from Manzi and tried to do the same with my teammate, but unfortunately lost
the front and crashed."
Locatelli moves up on top in the points with 105 ahead of Valtulini, Marini and Manzi. Rinaldi lies now fifth with 77 points under his belt.
The next two CIV Moto3 races are scheduled for July 27 and 28 at Imola's famous Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari.
