London OLympics 2012: PM congratulates Gagan Narang

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday congratulated Gagan Narang on winning the bronze medal in the men`s 10-metre air rifle event of the 2012 London Olympics.

"I join the nation in congratulating shooter Gagan Narang on his winning the Olympic bronze medal in the 10 metre air rifle event. I wish Narang more success in the two other events he is participating in," the prime minister said in a statement. Narang is the first Indian sportsman to win a medal in the London Olympics. Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken Sunday congratulated shooter Gagan Narang for winning India's first medal at the London Olympics and said his bronze will inspire other athletes to do well in the mega event. "I am sure this medal will boost morale for athletes in other disciplines in the competition. His medal has set the ball rolling and it will inspire other athletes to win medals. The medal came a bit late in the Games but it was surely worth the wait," Maken told reporters outside the Royal Artillery Barracks where Narang shot an overall score of 701.1 in the men's 10m air rifle to finish third. "He could have won the gold had it not been for a couple of bad shots. It would have been even better if Abhinav Bindra stood on the podium as well," added the minister referring to Beijing gold medallist Bindra, who failed to qualify for the final. Narang is also slated to take part in the 50m rifle 3 position and 50 m rifle prone later in the July 27-Aug 12 Games. Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan Monday congratulated shooter Gagan Narang on his winning the first medal for India at the ongoing London Olympics. Gagan won the bronze medal in the men's 10 metre air rifle shooting event Monday. The governor, in his message, said that Narang had not only done the country proud by his achievement but also Hyderabad. Narasimhan said he was sure that Narang, who has also won eight gold medals in the Commonwealth Games, would go a long way in his chosen field and bring further laurels to both the country and the state. IANS