Abhinav Bindra's body language belied any emotions whatsoever on the final day of his illustrious career. A near second Olympic medal was >missed by a whisker and even if he felt gutted, Bindra was not ready to show it in front of his country's media.
"It is my job to be composed. I do not want to break down in front of you. I knew this was coming and I am at peace with it. I did my best but ended up fourth. No medal but very close. Had a good day, but it didn't pay off," Bindra told reporters after the the event.
Soon to be 34, Bindra said that he will stick with his decision to retire.
"I am done, I have announced my retirement, so there is no reconsideration. I am not going to shoot again. This is it," he said, "I support youngsters already. I support 30 young shooters through my foundation. I will try and do the best I can."
"I really tried to put my best foot forward all these years. I am really happy with the way it is."
Asked about his future, Bindra quipped: "That is an unfair question to ask. I just completed my event and you want me to give the story of my life's future, I've no idea."
Bindra also dismissed ideas of giving pep talk to other Indian athletes at the Games.
"Not at this juncture. It's not my job to become their coaches. They have their support staff."
His father Dr A. S. Bindra, in an interview, had talked about the fully airconditioned shooting range in their 13-acre sprawling farmhouse.
"I am converting that into a vegetable garden. Don't you think I'm a serious person? Maybe the next time (Tokyo 2020), I will come as a journalist if anybody gives me a job," Bindra said.
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