Dipa Karmakar says sad she could not snare Olympic medal

Ace gymnast Dipa Karmakar has said that she is sad at not being able to snare a medal at the recently concluded summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The 23-year-old won hearts in India and at the games with her amazing fourth spot finish in the women's vault finals. It was the best performance by an Indian gymnast at the Olympics.

The welcome that she and her coach Bisweshwar Nandi received was a proud moment for one and all.

She said, "A sportsperson has to struggle. Our performance went really well though I am sad I couldn't manage a medal but I am happy to secure 15+ in the first level. It's my first attempt in the Olympics and I have got to learn things. I was so near to the medal. I didn't even expect that I will be in the fourth position. I was hoping that I would secure seventh or eighth position but I am happy to be in the fourth position."

The Government of Tripura has said that Dipa will be promoted from Sports Officer to Assistant Director and Bishweshwar Nandi will become a Deputy Director in the Sports Affairs and Youth Department.

Nandi said that he is now preparing Dipa for the Asian Games and 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

The Indian government has decided to confer the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2016, the country's highest sporting honour, on Karmakar.

Coach Nandi has been selected for the Dronacharya Award.