THE OLYMPIC RINGSTHE OLYMPIC RINGS

"These five rings -- blue, yellow, black, green and red -- represent the five parts of the world now

encompassed by Olympism and ready to compete against each other. Moreover, the six colors (including the white background) thus

combined represent those of all nations, without exception. The blue and yellow of Sweden, the blue and white of Greece, the French, English,

American, German, Belgian, Italian and Hungarian tricolors, the yellow and red of Spain

are side by side with the new Brazilian and Australian flags, the old Japan and the new

China. It is a true international emblem

BEIJING OLYMPIC EMBLEMBEIJING OLYMPIC EMBLEM

Every emblem of the Olympics tells a story. Every emblem of the Olympics tells a story. The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games emblem The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games emblem

"Chinese Seal, Dancing Beijing" is filled with "Chinese Seal, Dancing Beijing" is filled with Beijing's hospitality and hopes, and carries Beijing's hospitality and hopes, and carries

the city's commitment to the world.the city's commitment to the world. ‘ ‘ One World One Dream" fully reflects the One World One Dream" fully reflects the

essence and the universal values of the essence and the universal values of the Olympic spirit -- Unity, Friendship, Progress, Olympic spirit -- Unity, Friendship, Progress,

Harmony, Participation and Dream.Harmony, Participation and Dream.

OFFICIAL MASCOTS OF BEIJING OFFICIAL MASCOTS OF BEIJING 20082008

The Five Olympic Rings from which they The Five Olympic Rings from which they draw their color and inspiration, Fuwa will draw their color and inspiration, Fuwa will

serve as the Official Mascots of Beijing serve as the Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, carrying a message 2008 Olympic Games, carrying a message

of friendship and peace -- and good wishes of friendship and peace -- and good wishes from China -- to children all over the worldfrom China -- to children all over the world

In Singapore on the 6th of July, London was named host of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games: after four rounds of voting, the British capital beat out Paris, Madrid, New York City, and

Moscow. Moscow was cut in the first round, New York in the

second, and Madrid in the third. In the fourth round, London

defeated Paris with the absolute majority of delegates required

to win. London is therefore successor to the Olympic Games in Beijing and may present itself at the closing ceremony in 2008

as the next host.

THE 2012 OLYMPICS IN LONDON

INDIA AT OLYMPICS 2008INDIA AT OLYMPICS 2008INDIA’S 2008 BEIJING OLYMPICS DREAMS

A 99 member squad is to A 99 member squad is to represent India in the 2008 represent India in the 2008

Beijing Olympics (8th to 24th Beijing Olympics (8th to 24th August 2008). Saying "represent August 2008). Saying "represent

India" is playing a bit fast and India" is playing a bit fast and loose with the word itself, unless loose with the word itself, unless

by "represent" I mean "the by "represent" I mean "the number of Indians definite to land number of Indians definite to land at the Beijing airport". The figure at the Beijing airport". The figure 99 consists of 57 athletes and 42 99 consists of 57 athletes and 42

officialsofficials

India’s Total Olympics Medal Tally:India’s Total Olympics Medal Tally: 8 Gold medals, 1 Silver medal and 2 Bronze medals in 8 Gold medals, 1 Silver medal and 2 Bronze medals in

Hockey Hockey 2 Silver medals in Athletics and 1 in Shooting 2 Silver medals in Athletics and 1 in Shooting Bronze for wrestling ( Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav 1952 Bronze for wrestling ( Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav 1952

Helsinki) Helsinki) Bronze for tennis ( Leander Paes 1996 Atlanta) Bronze for tennis ( Leander Paes 1996 Atlanta) Bronze for weightlifting ( Karnam Malleswari 2000 Sydney Bronze for weightlifting ( Karnam Malleswari 2000 Sydney

Indian 2008 Olympics Medal Hopes:Indian 2008 Olympics Medal Hopes: These are the Indian participants at the 2008 Olympics to These are the Indian participants at the 2008 Olympics to

watch out for:watch out for: Manavjit Singh - Shooting (Trap Men) Manavjit Singh - Shooting (Trap Men) Rajyavardhan Rathore - Shooting(Double Trap Men) Rajyavardhan Rathore - Shooting(Double Trap Men) Anju Bobby George - Athletics (Long Jump) Anju Bobby George - Athletics (Long Jump) Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupati - Tennis (Mens Doubles) Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupati - Tennis (Mens Doubles) Dinesh Kumar - Boxing (-81 kg category) Dinesh Kumar - Boxing (-81 kg category) Akhil Kumar - Boxing (-54 kg category) Akhil Kumar - Boxing (-54 kg category)

Vijender - Boxing (-75 kg categoryVijender - Boxing (-75 kg category

For the first time India is sending a team of For the first time India is sending a team of swimmers to the Beijing Games. So below is swimmers to the Beijing Games. So below is the list of members from India at the beijing the list of members from India at the beijing

olympics.olympics. Archery: Dola Banerjee, Pranitha Vardhineni, L Archery: Dola Banerjee, Pranitha Vardhineni, L

Bombayala Devi, Mangal Singh Champia.Bombayala Devi, Mangal Singh Champia.

Athletics: Anju Bobby George (Long Jump), Krishna Athletics: Anju Bobby George (Long Jump), Krishna Poonia (Discus), Harwant Kaur (Discus), Preeja Poonia (Discus), Harwant Kaur (Discus), Preeja Sreedharan (10,000m), Manjit Kaur (400m), Chitra Sreedharan (10,000m), Manjit Kaur (400m), Chitra Soman (4×400m relay), Sini Jose (4×400m relay),MR Soman (4×400m relay), Sini Jose (4×400m relay),MR Poovamma (4×400m relay), Mandeep Kaur (4×400m Poovamma (4×400m relay), Mandeep Kaur (4×400m relay), S Geeta (4×400m relay), K Mridula (4×400m relay), S Geeta (4×400m relay), K Mridula (4×400m relay), J J Shobha (Heptathlon), Sushmita Singh Roy relay), J J Shobha (Heptathlon), Sushmita Singh Roy (Heptathlon), G G Pramila (Heptathlon),Vikas Gowda (Heptathlon), G G Pramila (Heptathlon),Vikas Gowda (Discus), Renjith Maheswary (Triple Jump), Surender (Discus), Renjith Maheswary (Triple Jump), Surender Singh (10000m).Singh (10000m).

Badminton: Anup Sridhar, Saina NehwalBadminton: Anup Sridhar, Saina Nehwal Boxing: Jitender (51kg), Akhil Kumar (54kg), A L Boxing: Jitender (51kg), Akhil Kumar (54kg), A L

Lakhra (57kg), Vijender(75kg) and Dinesh Kumar (81kg)Lakhra (57kg), Vijender(75kg) and Dinesh Kumar (81kg)

Judo: Khumujam Tombi Devi, Divya. Rowing: Bajrang Judo: Khumujam Tombi Devi, Divya. Rowing: Bajrang Lal Takhar (Single M1X), Devnder Khandwal and Manjeet Lal Takhar (Single M1X), Devnder Khandwal and Manjeet Singh (Light Weight Double Scull).Singh (Light Weight Double Scull).

Shooting: Manavjit Singh Sandhu (Clay Pigeon Trap), Shooting: Manavjit Singh Sandhu (Clay Pigeon Trap), Mansher Singh (Clay Pigeon Trap), Rajyavardhan Singh Mansher Singh (Clay Pigeon Trap), Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (Clay Pigeon Double Trap), Gagan Narang (10m Rathore (Clay Pigeon Double Trap), Gagan Narang (10m Air Rifle), Abhinav Bindra (10m AirRifle), Samresh Jung Air Rifle), Abhinav Bindra (10m AirRifle), Samresh Jung (10m Air Pistol), Sanjeev Rajput (50m Rifle 3 Position), (10m Air Pistol), Sanjeev Rajput (50m Rifle 3 Position), Anjali Bhagwat (50m Rifle 3 Position), Avneet Kaur Anjali Bhagwat (50m Rifle 3 Position), Avneet Kaur Sidhu (10m Air Rifle).Sidhu (10m Air Rifle).

Swimming: Virdawal Khade (50m, 100m, 200m Swimming: Virdawal Khade (50m, 100m, 200m Freestyle), Ankur Poseria (100m Butterfly), Sandeep Freestyle), Ankur Poseria (100m Butterfly), Sandeep Sejwal (100m, 200m Breaststrokes), Rehan Poncha Sejwal (100m, 200m Breaststrokes), Rehan Poncha (200m butterfly).(200m butterfly).

Table Tennis: Achanta Sharath Kamal, Neha Aggarwal.Table Tennis: Achanta Sharath Kamal, Neha Aggarwal.

Tennis: Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi (doubles), Tennis: Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi (doubles), Sania Mirza (singles and doubles), Sunitha Rao Sania Mirza (singles and doubles), Sunitha Rao (doubles). Weightlifting: L Monika Devi (69kg)(doubles). Weightlifting: L Monika Devi (69kg)

Wrestling: Sushil Kumar (66 kg Freestyle), Yogeshwar Wrestling: Sushil Kumar (66 kg Freestyle), Yogeshwar

Dutt (60 kg Freestyle), Rajiv Tomar (120 kg FreestyleDutt (60 kg Freestyle), Rajiv Tomar (120 kg Freestyle Yachting: Major NS Johal (Heavyweight Dinghy).Yachting: Major NS Johal (Heavyweight Dinghy).

ABHINAV BINDRA ABHINAV BINDRA PROFILEPROFILE

Achievements:Achievements: Made a junior world record score of Made a junior world record score of 597/6002001 Munich World Cup and won bronze;597/6002001 Munich World Cup and won bronze;

gold in 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games; became the gold in 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games; became the first Indian shooter to win a World Championship gold; Rajiv Gandhi Khel first Indian shooter to win a World Championship gold; Rajiv Gandhi Khel

Ratna in 2001.Ratna in 2001.

Abhinav Bindra is the brightest star among a new breed of talented Indian Abhinav Bindra is the brightest star among a new breed of talented Indian shooters. Born on September 28, 1983, Bindra is quite often criticized for not shooters. Born on September 28, 1983, Bindra is quite often criticized for not

delivering on the promise he showed as a child prodigy delivering on the promise he showed as a child prodigy

In the 2004 Athens Olympics, despite breaking the Olympic record Bindra In the 2004 Athens Olympics, despite breaking the Olympic record Bindra failed to win a medal. But on July 24, 2006, Bindra became the first Indian failed to win a medal. But on July 24, 2006, Bindra became the first Indian

shooter to win a World Championship gold in Zagreb. Dr. Karni Singh's silver shooter to win a World Championship gold in Zagreb. Dr. Karni Singh's silver in 1962 was the previous best by an Indian in a World Championship meet.in 1962 was the previous best by an Indian in a World Championship meet.

ABHINAV BINDRA WINS GOLD AT ABHINAV BINDRA WINS GOLD AT BEIJING2008 OLYMPICSBEIJING2008 OLYMPICS

Abhinav Bindra Wins Gold at Beijing 2008 Abhinav Bindra Wins Gold at Beijing 2008 Olympics, 10 metre Air Rifle Mens Event. Olympics, 10 metre Air Rifle Mens Event.

Bindra is India’s First Ever Individual to win Bindra is India’s First Ever Individual to win Gold in HistoryGold in History..

lympicslympics

This is India’s First Olympic gold in an individual event in 28 years. The last time India won gold was at the 1980 Moscow

Olympics for Hockey!The calm and composed 2006 world champion shooter

entered the final in fourth place (100,99,100,98,100 and 99) but held his nerves until the end.

Tally Score BoardTally Score Board

He finished ahead China’s Zhu Qinan and Finland’s Henri Hakkinen by scoring 104.5 points in the final round and clinching India’s First Individual Gold.

Bindra finished with 700.5 points overall. Zhu, the 2004 Gold Medalist from Athens Olympics, had

699.7 points. Hakkinen got the bronze with 699.4 points.

I personally feel this gold ranks higher than even our 1983 Cricket World Cup victory.

Our heartiest congratulations to Abhinav Bindra for Our heartiest congratulations to Abhinav Bindra for Making India Proud!!!Making India Proud!!!

I hope all the other Indian Olympians take the I hope all the other Indian Olympians take the initiative now and deliver more.Then 2008 Beijing initiative now and deliver more.Then 2008 Beijing and Bindra’s gold will be viewed as the Turning and Bindra’s gold will be viewed as the Turning

Point in our Sports History.Point in our Sports History.

With this Gold Medal, India is ranked 11th in the With this Gold Medal, India is ranked 11th in the

Medals Tally. Probably its highest everMedals Tally. Probably its highest ever Bindra made some really nice comments after his win. He said that his Gold is for the entire nation and the problem with Indian Olympic sport has always been Negativism and he hopes it will change from now on.

REWARDS POUR IN FOR ABHINAVREWARDS POUR IN FOR ABHINAV

In an attempt to encourage sports in India, many States and Organisation In an attempt to encourage sports in India, many States and Organisation has decided to rewards (cash or others) for Abhinav Bindra:has decided to rewards (cash or others) for Abhinav Bindra:

1)1) The The Punjab governmentPunjab government has announced a has announced a cash rewardcash reward of of 1 crore1 crore for for Abhinav. Abhinav.

2)2) The The Haryana GovernementHaryana Governement too has honoured this shooter with a too has honoured this shooter with a cash cash reward of 25 lakhsreward of 25 lakhs. .

3)3) The BCCIThe BCCI, keeping to it promise to help nurture other sports in India , keeping to it promise to help nurture other sports in India too has announced a too has announced a 25lakhs reward25lakhs reward

4)4) The The Chattisgarh govtChattisgarh govt. has decided to reward Abhinav with . has decided to reward Abhinav with 1 lakhs1 lakhs..5)5) The The Bihar Govt.Bihar Govt. has taken the unique and noble decision to name the has taken the unique and noble decision to name the

Patna Indoor StadiumPatna Indoor Stadium after this top notch shooter. This is in addition after this top notch shooter. This is in addition to a cash reward of to a cash reward of 11 lakhs11 lakhs..

WRESTLER SUSHIL KUMAR: Wrestler Sushil Kumar and boxer Vijender Singh, who had won

bronze medals in their respective categories, returned home in the week hours of morning. Both were given a rousing welcome at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.

.

Sushil Kumar won the medal in the men's 66 kg freestyle category, defeating Leonid Speiridonov of Kazakhistan. He became the second Indian wrestler after 56 years to bag a

bronze medal. Earlier, Khashaba Jadhav of Karad, Maharashtra, had won an individual bronze in the Helsinki

Olympics in 1952.

REWARDSREWARDS

State-owned telecom PSU MTNL today announced a cash reward of Rs 11 lakhs for Indian wrestler Sushil Kumar, who clinched a bronze medal in men's 66kg

freestyle category at the Beijing Olympics.Sushil Kumar, currently employed with the Indian Railway, was a MTNL employee till 2004. His father Diwan Singh is also an

employee of MTNL, the release said.

During his stay at MTNL, he participated in various national and international

wrestling tournaments, including the Commonwealth Wreatling championship in

2003 at Ontario, Canada, where he clinched gold medal. PTI

BOXER VIJENDRA KUMAR

• Vijender Kumar became the first-ever Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal. His performance

also boosted India's medal tally in Beijing Olympics to three, after shooter Abhinav Bindra

won gold in 10m air rifle event and wrestler Sushil Kumar bagged bronze.

Vijender Kumar of India reacts after defeating Carlos

Gongora of Ecuador in a men's light middleweight 75 kilogram quarterfinal boxing

match at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing,

Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008

What can be done to Improve India’s What can be done to Improve India’s chances of WINNING OLYMPIC MEDALSchances of WINNING OLYMPIC MEDALS

This is a very interesting piece of information I came This is a very interesting piece of information I came across while watching the News (CNN IBN) the other across while watching the News (CNN IBN) the other day. It said that the reason for winning more medals day. It said that the reason for winning more medals have nothing to do with population or the wealth of have nothing to do with population or the wealth of a nation. The news quoted the findings of a research a nation. The news quoted the findings of a research carried out by two experts (Anirudh Krishna and Eric carried out by two experts (Anirudh Krishna and Eric Haglund) at the Duke University - USA, Social Haglund) at the Duke University - USA, Social Mobility is the key to sucesss at the Olympics.Mobility is the key to sucesss at the Olympics.

Social Mobility is brought about by better Social Mobility is brought about by better infrastructure. The study cited the example of infrastructure. The study cited the example of Portugal whose Olympic medals tally increased with Portugal whose Olympic medals tally increased with the improvement of Radio Network . According to the improvement of Radio Network . According to

the research, better informed people perform betterthe research, better informed people perform better

INDIAN GLORIFIED ARCHIVEINDIAN GLORIFIED ARCHIVE

FROM THE HIGH OF BINDRA‘S GOLD FROM THE HIGH OF BINDRA‘S GOLD TO THE DESPAIR OF SAINA‘S LOSS, TO THE DESPAIR OF SAINA‘S LOSS,

THE OLYMPICS HAS BEEN ONE THE OLYMPICS HAS BEEN ONE AMAZING ROLLERCOASTER. I AMAZING ROLLERCOASTER. I

WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE BINDRA, SUSHIL AND VIJENDER BINDRA, SUSHIL AND VIJENDER AGAIN FOR THEIR SUPERLATIVE AGAIN FOR THEIR SUPERLATIVE

PERFORMANCEPERFORMANCE

LONDON 2012. HERE WE COME. JAI LONDON 2012. HERE WE COME. JAI HINDHIND..

THE CHINESE EXTRAVAGANZA, TRULY LUCKY FOR INDIA