Indian rowers all geared up for their biggest challenge

The Indian rowing team arrived in the British capital for the upcoming Olympics but instead of the regular athletes Village, the three-member team checked into a special Rowing Village at the Royal Holloway here.

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The Rowing Village is over 60 miles from the Olympic Games Village at Stratford. The Royal Holloway is a constituent College of the University of London and was founded in 1879.

It was earlier a Women's College and was officially opened by Queen Victoria in 1886.

"The Olympic Rowers (Men and Women) participating in London Olympics are staying in the Hostel accommodation of Royal Holloway College and the ambiance is wonderful," said the Indian contingent's Deputy chef-de-mission Brig P K Muralidharan Raja.

"After having had a guided tour of the facilities at the Royal Holloway, I went to the Eton Dorney Rowing Course where the Indian Rowing Team were waiting for their turn to start their training sessions," he said.

The Indian Team comprises Swarn Singh Virk in the Single Sculls and Sandeep Kumar and Manjeet Singh in the Lightweight Double Sculls.

"The Rowing Contingent has hired Fillipi Boats which are of Italian make and are considered to be one of the best in the World and brought necessary oars with them from India," Raja said.

"Although Coach Ismail Baig and his team are happy with the arrangements being provided, they still have a crib that they do not get the feeling or atmosphere as prevalent in an Olympic Games Village."

"Ismail feels that this resembles a normal World Championship only. So he is planning to bring his 3 wards to come and see the Olympic Games Village so that they are relaxed and enjoy themselves before participation in the Rowing events at Rowing village," Raja added.

At the Games Village at Stratford, shooter Joydeep Karmarkar joined his compatriots Abhinav Bindra, Manavjit Sandhu and Ronjan Sodhi.

"They have all settled down well and they are awaiting for their additional guns and equipment which are expected in the next two days," Raja said.

Meanwhile, the archery team had a full day's training session at the Lord's Cricket Ground from early morning till late in the afternoon.

The Archery event starts on July 27 even before the opening ceremony commences at night.

When asked about his first impression of the Olympic Games Village, top archer Tarundeep Rai was all praise for the accommodation and all arrangements including food and beverages being provided at the Games Village Dining Hall.