Slot a few years of prime ability to every sportsperson, and 23 years would safely harbour three entire generations. Since 1995, India has produced world-class sportspersons who have notched outstanding triumphs. Atop the heap is the Olympic Games gold that an intensely focused Abhinav Bindra shot down in the 10m air rifle event in Beijing. Bindra, then 25, became the toast of the nation. His achievement, when seen in the perspective of India’s tryst with the Olympics, appears to be the acme of personal excellence. The country has won nine Olympic golds; eight of those have come in men’s hockey, a team sport.