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MUMBAI:
Samsung India today announced the names of its torchbearers for
the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay , to be held at New Delhi on
April 17, 2008. Samsung , the Presenting Partner for the ongoing
Olympic Torch Relay , has selected Sprint Queen PT Usha , ace shooters
Manavjit Singh Sandhu and Abhinav Bindra , Sarod Maestro Ayaan Ali
Khan , 'Chak de' girl - Sagarika Ghatge and Powerlifter Rajinder
Singh Rahelu , who won the Bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Paralympics
.
Announcing
the Samsung Torchbearers , states Mr H B Lee , President & CEO
, Samsung South West Asia Headquarters , " As Presenting Partners
for the Olympic Torch Relay , we are indeed proud to have as our
Torch bearers , men and women , who are indeed achievers in their
own right and role models for the Indian public". Some of these
Torch bearers were nominated by the public during the 'Spread the
Olympic Flame' Nomination Program , organized by the Company in
October 2007 .
On
her being Torch bearer for the India leg of the Beijing 2008 Olympic
Torch Relay , states P T Usha, " "I am honored to be a
part of the Beijing 2008 Olympics Torch Relay . I will be taking
part in the Run for our motherland , with joy and sportsman spirit."
Echoing the same sentiment , states Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
Winner and World Shooting Champion 2006 , Manavjit Singh Sandhu,
" Carrying the Olympic Torch is indeed a matter of great pride
and privilege for any individual .As a sportsman, I feel very honored
to be given the opportunity by Samsung to carry the Olympic Torch
and promote the Olympic movement in the country."
Amongst
Samsung's list of Torchbearers is Rajinder Singh Rahelu , who is
a Powerlifter and has done the country proud by winning a bronze
medal at the 2004 Athens Paralympics . He has also won 2 silver
medals at the 2007 Asian Power Lifting Cup and a silver medal in
IWAS World Games TAIPEI 2007. Rajinder will carry the 'Olympic Torch'
on his wheelchair and states that the 'Olympic Spirit is all about
striving to reach higher goals and by carrying the Olympic Torch
he would like to inspire others to overcome obstacles and aim higher
." Sarod Maestro Ayaan Ali Khan feels that by participating
at the Olympic Torch Relay , he would be "promoting the Olympic
ideals and celebrating the spirit of human achievement in sports."
Film
actor , Sagarika Ghatge , better known as 'Preeti Sabarwal' of 'Chak
de India' is happy to be promoting Sports and Olympics in 'real
life' as against her 'reel life' role in 'Chak de India' , while
Abhinav Bindra , the youngest Indian participant at the 2000 Olympic
Games and the first Indian shooter to win a World Championship Gold
in Zagreb in 2006 , feels that the Olympic Torch Relay in India
will 'fuel the interest in Olympics' amongst the Indian masses and
promote the Olympic movement .
Samsung
India's association with the Indian Olympic Association commenced
with the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games and ever since the Company has
supported the Indian Contingent to the Y2000 Sydney Olympics, Y2002
Busan Asian Games, the Y2004 Athens Olympics and now the 2008 Beijing
Olympics. Samsung is supporting select Indian athletes in their
preparation for the Beijing Olympics through a Samsung Scholarship
Program called the 'Samsung Olympic Ratna' Program , instituted
in October 2007 and going up to the Beijing Olympics 2008 . Samsung
Electronics , the parent Company of Samsung India , has been the
Olympic Partner in the wireless communications equipment category
, since 1997.
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