Narang's medal will inspire other Indian athletes: Maken

London, July 30 (IANS) 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.