Sarabjot Singh missed out on 10m Air Pistol final by a single point© X (Twitter)

Olympic medallist shooter Gagan Narang said Indian athletes’ mindset has changed over the years and their confidence has touched unprecedented levels, encouraging them to set their sights on a gold medal. The London Games bronze medallist, who is serving as India’s Chef-de-Mission at the Paris Olympics, felt the Indian athletes are now not intimidated by their counterparts from other countries. “There is a huge change in the motivation and the level of thinking our athletes have today. We used to feel scared, under-confident because other countries were better. But slowly that’s changed, the mindset (has) changed,” Narang told reporters here.

“People started watching sports, playing it, then we had great performances. The confidence is at a new high. Today’s athletes don’t go just to participate, they go to perform.

“Someone in the top 8 or 5 wants to win a medal today and not just any medal but a gold. That’s the difference in thinking of the athletes today.

“They don’t think anyone is above them. They rate competitors at par and that’s a very positive sign for Indian sport,” Narang added.

The 41-year-old said there has been an “unprecedented coordination” between the Sports Ministry, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the national federations.

“The support we have got from the government (this time) we never got before. The support has increased in the past few years, TOPS’ players have increased, they have got all the facilities they wanted.

“There is unprecedented coordination between the Ministry and SAI, IOA NSFs. Hopefully, the athletes will be motivated and this will translate into medals,” he added.

On donning a new hat after competing at four Olympics as an athlete, Narang said “I feel happy and proud to be one of the few Chef De Missions who is also an Olympics medallist.

“There are a handful of people. It’s an honour for me. I was contributing to shooting athletes and now I’m able to contribute to all Indian athletes.

“It’s a proud moment for me and also a responsible one. I’m hoping I can handle pressure like I did in London (Olympics). It’s a different kind of pressure.” 

London Olympics bronze medallist shooter Gagan Narang on Monday replaced Mary Kom as India’s Chef-de-Mission for the Paris Olympics where ace shuttler PV Sindhu will be the female flag bearer during the opening ceremony. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President PT Usha said the 41-year-old Narang’s elevation from deputy CDM’s position was an automatic choice in the wake of Mary Kom’s resignation. “I was looking for an Olympic medallist to lead our contingent and my young colleague is an apt replacement for Mary Kom,” PT Usha said in a press release.

PTI had earlier reported that Narang was in race to become the CDM of the Indian contingent.

Six-time world champion Mary Kom had resigned from the position in April, saying she was left with no choice but to step down owing to compelling personal reasons. She was named CDM by the IOA in March this year.

Chef-de-Mission is an important administrative post as he is responsible for ensuring the welfare of the participating athletes, taking care of their needs and liaising with the organising committee.

IOA also announced that Sindhu, India’s only woman athlete to win back-to-back Olympic medals, will be the flag bearer of the Indian contingent during the opening ceremony on July 26, alongside ace table tennis player Achanta Sharath Kamal.

“I am also delighted to announce that India’s only woman to win two Olympic medals, PV Sindhu, as the female flag-bearer alongside table tennis ace A Sharath Kamal in the opening ceremony,” Usha said.

IOA had named Kamal as flag bearer in March but delayed the decision on picking the female athlete.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), in 2020, had changed its protocol to allow one female and and one male athlete of each NOC to bear the flag jointly during the opening ceremony of the Summer Games.

Mary Kom and former hockey skipper Manpreet Singh were India’s flag bearers at the Tokyo Olympics.

“I am confident that our athletes are well prepared to deliver the best results for India in Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” Usha added.

More than 100 athletes have qualified for the Paris Games, starting July 26.

Interestingly, Narang — the London Olympics bronze medallist in men’s 10m air rifle event — was tasked with overseeing India’s operations at the shooting range, which is very far from the main venues.

India will field its largest-ever shooting contingent with as many as 21 qualifying for the Games.

Now that Narang has been selected for CDM’s role, the IOA will have to find his replacement at the shooting range.