The Indian government has decided to award the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna to Olympians PV Sindhu, Sakshi Malik, Dipa Karmakar and Jitu Rai, according to reports. The Khel Ratna is the highest sporting honour conferred by the government of India.

Sindhu and Malik were the only two athletes who bagged a medal for India at the Rio Olympics. While Sindhu won the silver in women's singles badminton, Malik got the bronze in the women's freestyle wrestling 58 kg category. Gymnast Karmakar finished fourth in the vault final, while shooter Rai was 10th in the 10 m air pistol final.

Abhinav Bindra, Mary Kom, Vijender Singh, Sushil Kumar, Saina Nehwal, Gagan Narang and Yogeshwar Dutt are some of the other Olympians who have previously been awarded the Khel Ratna.