Have worked hard to improve fitness, says Jwala Gutta

With few days left for the Olympics, ace shuttler Jwala Gutta on Friday said that she is confident of winning a medal in the mega event as she worked hard on her fitness and other aspects of the game.

Olympics 2012 | Schedule | Medals Tally | Photos

"My preparations have been good. I do look fit. Don't I? I have worked really hard on my fitness. Because, I want to give my best shot over here," she said on the sidelines of an event.

She said her familiarity with the courts in London, having played there earlier, should make things easier for her.

"Not only am I looking fit but mentally also, I am feeling very fit. Why won't I expect a medal. I won the bronze medal in the same arena last year. For me, it is going to be familiar surroundings. I am looking forward to it," she said.

Asked what is her state of mind as Olympics is just a few days away, she said, "It is yet to sink in. Only after I go there, I will probably get the actual feeling of being at the Olympics."

Meanwhile, Jwala is the latest celebrity to team up with PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) to speak against the alleged cruelty in zoos.

"In zoos, animals are incarcerated, often chained and are denied most of their natural behaviours," PETA says and calls for boycotting zoos.

Despite the 2009 Central Zoo Authority ban on keeping elephants in zoos and requiring zoos to slowly shift elephants to forest areas, the Hyderabad zoo still has elephants, they claimed.

"I don't go to zoos either. I went there when I was a kid. I have seen zoos outside. The way it's kept. In India especially, I think zoos are kept in a very sad manner. I think we need to change that. I love animals. I have two dogs at home. I just love them. I thought this is a very good cause. That's why I am supporting it," she said.