I have been unlucky at Athens & Beijing, hope I get third time lucky: Narang

Ace marksman Gagan Narang is hoping to get third time lucky at the London Games after his two unsuccessful attempts in 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics, says a report in the Mid-Day.

“I have been unlucky twice (Athens and Beijing), hope I get third time lucky. An athlete’s ultimate ambition is to win and I am determined to go all the way and do whatever it takes,” said Narang, who missed out on the final by a point at Beijing in 2008.

Meanwhile a report in The Times Of India says that Narang will be representing India along with Beijing Games gold-medallist Abhinav Bindra in their pet event -- 10-metre air rifle on July 30. Besides 10-metre, Narang is also competing in 50-m Rifle Prone (August 3) and 50-m Rifle 3 Position (August 6), giving himself enough chances of winning a medal at the Royal Artillery Barracks.

Going by his form over the past couple of years, Narang stands a realistic chance of standing on the podium in London, and the experience of having represented his country in two previous Olympics only adds to the hopes and expectations. "Olympics is everyone's dream. We know what's coming. We have come a long way. All I can say after representing the country twice already is that I have better control keys," he says.

As cliched as it may sound but for Narang, the thought of winning a medal in Olympics is something that cannot be explained in words. "All of world's eyes are trained on the Games. So winning at that stage is heroic. It is a different feeling altogether and cannot be explained in words," is how the 29-year-old responds when one asks him about his desire to win at the Olympics.