Rio de Janeiro, Aug 17: Former Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra has attempted to answer the question ‘why India is not winning medals at Rio Olympics 2016?’ Bindra, who has self-financed his career for most of its part, claims that there is an official apathy towards the athletes, and the administration in general is not considered about the improvement in India’s performance. Bindra highlights the fact that spotting, training and shaping a bright talent requires a massive amount of investment which India, being an emerging economy may not be able to bear. Citing the case of Great Britain, which is performing in an exemplary manner in Rio, Bindra said, “Each medal costs the UK £5.5 million. That’s the sort of investment needed. Let’s not expect much until we put systems in place at home.” (ALSO READ: Rio Olympics 2016 India: Schedule, Fixtures of Events in IST) Also Read - International Flights: Now Indians Can Fly to Japan, UK, Canada And 10 Other Countries | Who is Allowed & Who is Not? Read Detailed SOPs

In an interaction with a website, Bindra also indicated that the problem is not only the lack of resources, but also the priorities of the authorities. Instead of nurturing talent, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) keeps waiting for an exceptional talent to struggle and emerge on the top, and only then he would be provided state-sponsored assistance. (ALSO READ: Rio Olympics 2016 LIVE Updates, 17th Aug, Day 12) Also Read - India's COVID-19 Tally Nears 55 Lakh-mark, Deaths Stand at 87,882 | Key Points

Citing the case of Dipa Karmakar, who secured the 4th rank in Gymnastics, Bindra said that a difference might had been made it the IOA would’ve allowed her physio to travel along with her. It was only after she qualified in the finals, Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel facilitated for her physio’s arrival in Rio. Bindra further adds that not only were the athletes deprived of their personal physios, but the one accompanying the Indian contingent is a radiologist, not a physio. Also Read - Ladakh Standoff: India, China Hold Sixth Round of Corps Commander-Level Talks at Moldo

Tony Singh, the official doctor who went along with the Indian contingent is a radiologist, whom Bindra claims has no knowledge about sports and the stress they undergo. For Tony, there was only one medicine for athletes suffering with fatigue – combiflam. Further Bindra says that he would be find alongside the swimming pool most of the time, and his drinking session would begin from 3 PM. Pointing out the nepotism behind his appointment, Bindra highlighted that Tony is the son of Tarlochan Singh, the vice president of IOA.

Bindra claimed that the IOA President Narayana Ramachandran has not met any of the athletes, as far as he knows, during the current Olympic session. Such kind of attitude from the authorities is bound to demoralize the athletes.