Dream fulfilled: Saina makes history BOLT VS BLAKE: WORLD’S FASTEST RACE AT 2.20 AM

Hyderabad’s Saina Nehwal created history on Saturday by becoming the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal, when China’s third seed Xin Wang retired from their bronze medal play-off.

A combination of exhaustion and injured knee got the better of Wang, who limped out, teary-eyed, leaving the match unfinished at 21-18, 1-0 at the Wembley Arena in London.

“I have no words to express how I’m feeling right now,” said Saina, speaking to this newspaper after her historic feat. “The fact that I won an Olympic medal hasn’t sunk in yet,” the 22-yearold added, struggling for words.

“Today, I have fulfilled a long-standing dream, of winning an Olympic medal for my country,” she said.

“I would like to thank Gopi sir (coach Pullela Gopichand), my parents. I would also like to thank Deccan Chronicle for sponsoring me and giving me so much support.”

Coach P. Gopichand was elated. “It is a proud day for me, the badminton fraternity and the rest of India,” he said. “Though I tried hard, I had to end my career without an Olympic medal, and this is my way of winning one for India,” he added. London, Aug. 4: The fastest man in the world will be crowned on Day 3 of the athletics events at the Olympic Games in London.

Defending champion Usain Bolt of Jamaica and world champion Yohan Blake will take centrestage in the blue riband 100m in a battle that promises to light up the Games.

The race has been scheduled for 2.20 am IST (9.50 pm local time) on Monday.

— PTI

Saina Nehwal holds the national flag after winning the bronze in the women’s singles badminton at the Olympic Games in London on Saturday. — PTI

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