The Hindu : Sport / Olympic Games : A nation salutes the Major

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Wednesday, Aug 18, 2004

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Sport - Olympic Games

A nation salutes the Major

By Our Special Correspondent

PROUD FAMILY: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore's family — wife Gayatri (left), mother (right) and children — bask in the glory in New Delhi on Tuesday. — Photo: S. Subramanium

NEW DELHI, AUG. 17. When Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore trapped silver in Athens on Tuesday, his family members missed all the action and excitement.

The indefinite strike of the cable operators denied Rathore's wife Gayatri, son Manav and daughter Gauri a chance to witness the medal-winning spectacle. "The feeling is yet to sink in," was how Gayatri reacted when contacted on Tuesday evening. "I am very happy with what my husband has achieved. But it would have been more memorable if I had watched him perform in the final."

Talking about Rathore's love for the sport, Gayatri said, "after taking up trap shooting about five years ago, he became the best in the army. It is his natural talent and self-belief that has taken him this far.''

About his preparation after qualifying for the Games, Gayatri said that Rathore had a single-minded approach towards his goal.

Rathore's house in Delhi Cantonment was invaded by the media that surprisingly discovered the champion's family did not have many visitors. Accolades for Rathore came from all quarters. Sportspersons, sports administrators and politicians hailed the latest hero of Indian sport.

But a more valued assessment came from Rathore's training partner Gaurav Sondhi.

"I am thrilled to bits. Rathore shot very well in the final and this is a tremendous achievement." Asked about the missed birds in the second half of the final, Sondhi said, "at such a time, you tend to get a little edgy but he carried on well. Ahmed Almaktoum (the champion) was lucky to have a good lead to start the final."

Moraad Ali Khan, Rathore's partner in the Commonwealth Games doubles gold, described the achievement as "the best thing that could have happened to double trap shooting in India. It's an unique achievement for Indian shooting and I just hope this will spur both the government and the sports administrators to set up better facilities (ranges) in the country,'' Moraad said.

He added that the medal came Rathore's way because he kept his cool in a demanding situation.

A bronze medallist in the last World shot gun championship, Rathore was always seen as a medal contender at the Games. A major in the 9 Grenadiers, Rathore was commissioned in the army in 1990 after passing out from the National Defence Academy (Khadakwasla). He went on to join the regiment commanded by his father L. B. S. Rathore.

In the past, barring the exploits of the hockey team in the Olympics, India has gained only individual bronze medals through wrestler K. D. Jadhav (1956), Leander Paes (1996) and Karnam Malleswari (2000). And now Rathore has gone one better with a silver.

Vinay Kumar reports:

The President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, the Congress President Sonia Gandhi and the Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee were among those who congratulated Rathore for bagging the silver medal in the Athens Olympics.

Dr. Kalam said the silver medal was a reward for Rathore's hardwork and has brought "unprecedented joy to the whole nation.'' Mr. Shekhawat said Rathore has done the nation and his home State of Rajasthan proud by his outstanding achievement.

Hailing the feat, the Prime Minister said it would bring a "positive effect on the culture of sports and physical activity in India.'' Dr. Singh exhorted the Indian Olympic contingent to seek inspiration from Rathore's effort and bring glory to the nation.

The Lok Sabha Speaker Mr. Chatterjee and the Congress President Sonia Gandhi congratulated Rathore on his historic achievement and wished the Indian Olympic contingent all the best in the days to come.

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