Rajyavardhan Rathore not to compete in World Military Games

Lieutenant-Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, the lone Indian individual Olympic silver medalist, will not be seen in action at the Fourth World Military Games to be held in the twin cities of Hyderabad-Secunderabad in October this year.

By Vikram Vishal

Hyderabad, July 9 : Lieutenant-Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, the lone Indian individual Olympic silver medalist, will not be seen in action at the Fourth World Military Games to be held in the twin cities of Hyderabad-Secunderabad in October this year.

Rathore, who won the silver medal in the men's double trap shooting event at the Athens Olympics in 2004, will not participate in the mega event as his sport is not a part of the games, the second biggest after the Olympics.

"Rathore will not participate at the games as his event double trap is not a part of it (World Military Games). However, he will be around at that time (from October 14-21 when the event is scheduled to take place) to boost the morale of Indian participants," said Colonel K J Singh.

A total of 13 disciplines, including boxing, football, handball, judo, military pentathlon, parachuting, shooting, aquatics, athletics, volleyball and wrestling, will be held at the games from October 14-21.

Hockey and kabaddi, which were earlier scheduled to be a part of the games, have been scrapped due to "lack of participation". However, these two sports will be organised as exhibition sports along with polo.

Out of 127 members of the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM), better known as International Military Sports Council, 78 countries have confirmed their participation. Around 5100 sportsmen will participate in this year's games, which is being held outside Europe for the first time.

Athens Olympic Silver medallist in boxing Jerome Thomas, Judo world champion Sophie Mondiere, Parachuting world champion S. Valios, 300m shooting world champion S. Bibard (all from France), javelin silver medallist at the Athens Olympic Vadimas of Latvia, and shooting European champion Henri Hakkinen of Finland will be among the participants.

ANI