After clinching historic silver medal, here's what PV Sindhu was allowed to do by coach Pullela Gopichand

New Delhi: Winning a medal at Olympics demands a lot of sacrifice. That was the case with India's Silver medalist PV Sindhu at Rio Olympics 2016, as she did whatever she was instructed to do by her coach Pullela Gopichand.

Gopichand, one of the finest coaches in India, knows a thing or two about doing well at major tournaments. It was under his watchful eyes that Saina Nehwal trained and went on to bag India's first Olympic medal in badminton at London Olympics 2012.

At a time when the other athletes were bemoaning the lack of access to Pokemon Go in the Olympic village in Rio, Gopi had confiscated Sindhu's mobile phone, not just for the mega event, but much before.

"Sindhu did not have her phone during the last three months. The first thing is I would return her phone. The second thing, after coming here for last 12-13 days, I had deprived her from having sweet curd which she likes most. I also stopped her from eating ice-cream. Now she can eat whatever she wants," an elated Gopi told PTI after his arrival in India.

Apart from putting in hours of training, Sindhu was following a strict diet to compete with the best at the biggest sporting spectacle.

Gopichand added that he was extremely impressed with Sindhu's work ethic and that she deserved to enjoy all the moments now after sacrificing so much.

"She has had a great last week. The kind of work she has put in in the last two months is tremendous. The kind of sacrifices she has made without complaining is fantastic. She deserved to enjoy the moment and that's what I really wanted her to do. I'm very truly very happy."