New Delhi, Aug 14 (IANS) India's first individual Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra felt emptiness within after firing the last shot that created history.

Abhinav, who returned to India to a rousing welcome, said he strove hard to give his best in Olympics and when he won the gold there was a feeling of hollowness.

"It was a feeling of emptiness after I won the gold medal," a reticent Bindra answered a packed press conference about how he felt at that moment.

"When you work so hard to achieve something and when you get that, there is a feeling of emptiness. If you are aiming to climb the mountain and when you finally reach the top, there is a feeling that you finally achieved what you set out to do.

"I had worked hard to achieve it and I am happy that I realised it. But then life goes on," Bindra said.

"I was very upset after Athens where I had a very good chance. And then I had this injury. It took me quite some time to figure out what I want do do. It took a lot of courage, and determination for me to stand up again. It was certainly a bigger achievement than the gold medal. Winning or losing is part of the game," Bindra said, giving a glimpse of his mind.

Bindra, who was laid low with a back problem and could not lift his gun for almost a year, hoped his path-breaking effort will inspire others sportspersons to win more glory for India.

"I hope that it will bring a positive change in Indian sports. It will change the management and mindset of Indian sport. My medal is dedicated to all my fellow athletes so that they can achieve more laurels for my country with hope and determination," Bindra said.

Asked how he felt standing at the podium with the national anthem playing in the background, Bindra said: "why did not we get this (gold medal) before."

Bindra, who had a busy day meeting top dignitaries including President Prathiba Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, said he was "overwhelmed" by the response that he has been getting since landing in the wee hours Thursday.

"I never expected it (the reception). I am deeply honoured and it feels great," he said.

Going into the complexities of his sport, Bindra said that it was mentally very draining.

"Shooting requires a lot of mental stamina. It is very challenging. Now I need a break for a little while.

Bindra also thanked his mental trainer Amit Bhattacharya and his coaches including Col J S Dhillon for the efforts they had put in.

Asked about the shooters who are not performing that well in Beijing, Bindra said they are all capable of winning the laurels for the country.

"Everybody goes there to win. They have all performed well and everyone has the capability to win medals."

Bindra's Swiss coach rubbishes 'tampering' story

Beijing, Aug 14 (IANS) Indians sure love a drama, in both victory and defeat. And if a conspiracy theory is thrown in, it is that much more exciting.

Within 24 hours of shooter Abhinav Bindra winning India's first individual gold medal in the men's 10m air rifle event, there were unconfirmed reports in a section of the media that his rifle may have been tampered with.

The sightings, as they are called, may have been somewhat out of place, requiring some adjustment before the final, but Bindra's Swiss coach Gaby Buehlmann, ruled out any 'tampering'.

Buehlmann, who has played a crucial role in Bindra's career and helped him achieve the success, shot back in broken English: "No, no, it cannot be. We had the rifle whole (sic) time under control. It was besides us. He was carrying the rifle in a soft case and it may have touched a little somewhere. Maybe he touched a wall or something and some screw may have become loose. It happens (sometimes)."

The Swiss added that she was worried about Bindra sighting shots. "There was some screw loose or something. One screw was loose maybe. There are hundreds of screws in a rifle. But he (Bindra) was reacting cleverly. He made the clicks quickly to get into the centre. Then he shot like a machine.

"But I was not worried about the final. He is very good at it," she said.

Buehlmann shrugged off the whole incident with a laugh and said: "This is not a drama. He has the medal and who cares?"

Earlier, Deputy chef de mission Baljeet Singh Sethi, who is also the secretary-general of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), said they did not know about it but Bindra later told us that he had found his gun sight a little altered.

"We did not know it, but after the final he told us that he found his gun sight altered. But he is a very cool boy and has lot of patience. He did not panic, but he maintained his cool and went on to win the gold," Sethi said.

Former India shooter, Randhir Singh, now a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and also an observer for the shooting competition, said he did not receive any complaint about the incident. "There has been no formal complaint about it," he said. "So, I cannot even react to this."

A newspaper had suggested in a report that Bindra's rifle may have been tampered with in the period between the qualifying and final sessions. It reported that it was done when Bindra went to the rest room, and while Buehlmann also stepped out at the same time for a smoke. The suggestion was that this was probably the time when the rifle was tampered with.

Sethi shut the chapter saying: "I don't think that (blame game) helps. Actually, you cannot blame anyone; it's your duty to take care of your gun. He was the only Indian to qualify, so there were shooters from other countries in that room."

IANS