Abhinav Bindra

What did you do differently at the world championship from the Athens Olympics where you were leading going into the final?
I didn’t do anything different at all.

Have you done something different to get mentally tougher?
I believe I’ve always been mentally tough.

Do you have plans to requisition the services of a top coach for the ’08 Olympics?
I have not yet made a decision.

Will you change your technique to prevent your back problem from worsening?
I will work on my technique after four months of rehab for my back.

What is your gameplan for the Olympics?
It’ll be hard to just give you a gameplan for an event two years down the line. Right now, I can say that I will train hard and smart.

How do you view your relationship with Gagan Narang? On the range and off it?
Gagan is a fine shooter, and a good guy! I respect his shooting abilities.

It’s said you prefer to train at your own range in Chandigarh than be with the team?
That’s not true all the time. The press is unfortunately far away from facts. I’ve been attending most camps in the last year. It’s difficult being in camps the whole year—gets boring and leads to burnout. The last few months I’ve been trying to fix my back and didn’t attend the camps. And if the conditions to train are better at home, what is wrong in training there?

What’s been the role of your parents?
They’ve played a great role.

And the role of the SAI and the NRAI?
They’ve been supportive.