Rio Olympics: Abhinav Bindra Backs Salman Khan's Appointment as Goodwill Ambassador

Abhinav Bindra, who won India's only individual gold medal in shooting during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has backed Salman Khan's appointment as the goodwill ambassador for the Indian contingent for the upcoming 2016 Rio Olympics.

Bindra told NDTV that in India, either Bollywood or Cricket gets the maximum attention. "If Salman Khan can promote Olympics, it makes strategic sense."

"If Salman can actively boost Olympic sports, more power to him. If it is just for a day's publicity, then it is of no use," Bindra added.

Some prominent sportsmen have expressed their displeasure at Salman Khan being nominated as the goodwill ambassador. Legendary sprinter Milkha Singh said that some other sportsmen should have been given the opportunity.

"I am of the view that our sportspersons; be those from shooting, athletics, volleyball or other sports, they are the real ambassadors of India who would represent the country in the Olympics. Still, if we had to pick an ambassador, it could have been from the sporting arena," Milkha told in an interview to PTI.

Wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt had tweeted, "Sportspersons like PT Usha and Milkha Singh strived hard for the nation during difficult times. But what has this ambassador (Salman Khan) done in sport. Everybody has the right to promote movies in India, but Olympics is not a place to promote films. Can anyone tell me what is the role of goodwill ambassador? Why are you fooling the public."

(With inputs from Suprita Das)