EXCLUSIVE | ‘If we are serious about 2036 bid, we must invest in our athletes’ – Abhinav Bindra | More sports News
Pune: Among Abhinav Bindra’s other talents, his clarity of thoughts, tops the charts. The Olympic gold medallist has always been blessed with foresight and as he sports more greys, the wisdom is only getting better.His views on India’s expression of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games are as straightforward as the trajectory of his pellets, during his shooting days.“It is encouraging to see India express a serious interest in hosting the 2036 Olympic Games. This moment reflects not just an aspiration to organise a global sporting event, but a broader belief in what sport can do for a country on how it can inspire a generation, build community, drive infrastructure, and become a powerful force for national development,” Bindra told TOI during his visit to Pune. The five-time Olympian was in the city to inaugurate the physiotherapy department at the Sancheti Hospital.“While we still have work to do in terms of physical readiness, the conversation itself marks a significant shift. Infrastructure can and will be built but more importantly, we now have an opportunity to develop systems that centre around the athlete. Hosting the Games must not become an end in itself; it should be the beginning of a long-term commitment to strengthening grassroots participation, embedding sports science and education into our structures, and creating high-performance pathways that are inclusive and sustainable,” Bindra, 42, said.He added that as far as the sporting talent goes, India is doing well, but the country should focus more on the athletes’ development if they want to be a successful host.
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“The last few years have shown that Indian athletes are capable of world-class performances. There is growing depth, belief, and professionalism. If we are serious about bidding for 2036, the coming decade must be used not just to build venues, but to invest deeply in our athletes so that by the time we are ready to host, we are also truly ready to compete.”There is a growing debate about the demerits of early specialisation in sports. Bindra feels that early specialisation works when it is supported by other verticals like mental, physical conditioning.“I personally specialised early, and in my case, it helped me reach the level I did. But I was also extremely fortunate to have access to the right support systems from a young age expert coaching, structured training, mental conditioning, and recovery. Without that foundation, early specialisation can come with significant risks. Evidence tells us that exposing children to multiple sports in their early years helps build a broader athletic base, reduces injury risk, and promotes long-term engagement. It also allows them to find their true passion, rather than having one imposed too early,” he said.“That said, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Some athletes thrive with early focus, others benefit from late specialisation,” Bindra added.
