Hosting Olympics is not about just two weeks, it's about a higher level of achievement

IOC Athletes Commission member Abhinav Bindra on what hosting the Olympics could mean for India, engaging with the younger demographic, grooming talent through robust organisations and the growing self belief of Indian athletes. The session was moderated by Senior Assistant Editor Mihir Vasavda

- Mihir Vasavda

Mihir Vasavda: What did India achieve by hosting the International Olympic Committee (IOC) session?

This IOC session was one of the best organised and credit goes to Mrs (Nita) Ambani, chairperson, Reliance Foundation, that it was flawless in every respect. What it has managed to achieve is to showcase our potential not just in sport but the overall development that's happening in the country. It's both in the interest of the IOC and our country to engage with the Olympic movement. First, from the IOC's side, it is an opportunity to engage with the world's largest and youngest population. It is a market, a country where the IOC has been trying for many years to really make its presence felt in a meaningful way. The wheels are slowly starting to turn there.

Of course, India is starting to embrace Olympic sports at the level it never has in terms of supporting athletes; all credit goes to the government for prioritising sports. We are slowly starting to see results also come through.

Mihir Vasavda: What is spurring the recent surge in terms of results?

It has got to do with the people. Our young demographic is driving demand, not just in terms of watching sport but also playing at a community, club and elite level. When that happens, sport becomes a priority for governments as well because at the end of the day, at a political level you are trying to appease a young audience.

When sport is an important aspect in the life of every young Indian, it's only natural that there will be more investment going into it.

At the elite level, Indian athletes are very well taken care of. You cannot compare the kind of investment that's happening in a lot of sports with anywhere else in the world. What we are also starting to see slowly is more investment permeating down to the grassroots level, like the Khelo India and other programmes.