Sochi Games: Independent Indians march under Olympic flag

Thee Indians – Shiva Keshavan, Nadeem Iqbal and Himanshu Thakur -- qualified for the Sochi Winter Olympics but are listed as Independent Olympic Athletes, under the banner of the International Olympic Committee.

At the Games' opening ceremony, instead of the Indian flag, they marched wearing the Olympic rings, under the Olympic flag.

India's sole luge athlete and Asia Cup gold medallist Keshavan qualified for the Olympics for a record fifth time. 

At the age of 16, he made his first appearance at the Winter Games, at Nagano '98, and went on to participate at every event since then.

"That's one of the main motivations; but you know, Indian flag or not, I think they cannot take the fact away that I'm Indian,” said Keshavan.

Keshavan is India's sole Olympic medal hopeful after an impressive string of successes behind him: two Asia Cup gold medals, one silver and one bronze; he's also broken the Asian luge speed records.

"Whether there's an Indian flag or not," Keshavan said, "I will have competed for India in my heart.”