The Indian Paralympics contingent in Paris has grabbed headlines with 15 medals already in the bag and more expected, close on the heels of India’s success at the Olympics.
This is the third time recently that the Indian Paralympics contingent will be outperforming the Olympics contingent of the country. The Narendra Modi government has thrown its weight behind the Paralympics contingent like the Olympics one, and India this time has sent its biggest-ever contingent of 84 athletes to participate in Paralympics, 34 of whom are women. Fifty-nine of these athletes are supported under TOPS, 17 are regular athletes of SAI NCOEs and remaining are supported by the government under the Khelo India scheme.
“This shows the commitment of the government to Paralympians. The prime minister has been invested in this. PM Modi, while speaking to the Paralympics contingent before they left for Paris, had told them that this journey is as important to the country as was that of the Olympians. The PM has congratulated every Paralympic medal-winner as well,” a senior official told News18.
The government has ensured facilities and training for the Paralympians to be at par with the Olympic contingent, helping them to achieve the success.
Officials said every request of para-athletes was examined on urgent basis and support provided for their training, equipment and foreign exposure. All the players practice in SAI centres or private academies with support from SAI. The government has facilitated over 110 international competitions. An expenditure of approximately Rs 22 crore for Paralympic medal probables and Rs 74 crore for 12 qualified disciplines has been made by the government for support and assistance towards Paris Paralympics cycle.
A dedicated recovery centre with sports science equipment has been built for the first time at the Games village similar to Olympics’ contingent. Also, against the limit of 30 per cent support staff, over 100 per cent support staff has been deputed, considering the special needs of Para-athletes for their personal coaches and sports experts. Additionally, at the state-of-the-art Indian Recovery Centre in Paris, the athletes find specially sourced snacks, prepared and delivered by SAI, such as energy bars, protein mixtures and more, carefully chosen to power their performances.
A hat-trick has been struck at Paris this time as the Indian Paralympians had bagged 19 medals in Tokyo Paralympics and 111 medals in the 2022 Asian Para Games, outperforming the Indian Olympics contingent on both occasions as the latter won seven medals in Tokyo and 107 medals at the last Asian Games. At Paris, Indian Olympians won six medals.
India has sent its biggest 84-member contingent to Paralympics this time. In the Tokyo 2020 games, India had fielded 54 para-athletes. This was the best-ever performance with 19 medals, including five gold medals in nine disciplines. In the previous edition in Rio, only 19 athletes participated and won four medals, including two gold. They were ranked 43. India won 111 medals, including 29 gold at Tokyo against total 72 medals in the previous edition.
What is also remarkable is that 50 per cent of the Indian athletes participating in the Paralympics at Paris are doing it for the first time — 19 of them just from Para Athletics discipline alone. For the first time, India participated in Blind Judo, Cycling and Rowing with equal representation in both the genders (one male and one female).
PM Modi has personally congratulated each medal winner at the Paralympics so far. Avani Lakhara has won gold medals consecutively in air rifle event in Paris and Tokyo. Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar won the Bronze in Mixed Team Compound Open Archery, Sumit won the Gold in the Men’s Javelin F64 event, Suhas Yathiraj won the Silver medal in the Men’s Singles SL4 Badminton event, Thulasimathi won a Silver Medal in the Women’s Badminton SU5 event, Manisha Ramadass won the Bronze Medal in the Women’s Badminton SU5 event, Yogesh Kathuniya won a silver in discus throw, a silver medal was won by Nishad in High Jump, and Preeti Pal has won two medals in track and field events.
Two Army sepoys Soman Rana and shooter Amir Bhat are part of the contingent.
The prime minister, while speaking to the Paralympian contingent earlier, had said that the country’s pride is linked to the presence of the athletes in Paris.
“A total of 140 crore countrymen are blessing you. When an athlete reaches such a big stage in any sport, it reflects a story of courage, dedication, and sacrifice. When it comes to para-athletes, the challenges only intensify. The Para Athletes reaching this point demonstrates how strong they are against all odds,” he had said in August.
Sriharsha Devareddy (shooting) made her debut at the age of 44, whereas 17-year-old armless acher Sheetal Devi will be participating in her first Paralympics. Amit Kumar Saroha is the only Indian athlete who has qualified for the fourth time to participate in Paralympics. Earlier, he had represented India in the 2012, 2016, and 2020 editions.
Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to clinch two gold medals at the Paralympics, as she defended her title in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 shooting event. Also, Preeti Pal has made history as the first-ever Indian woman track and field athlete to win two medals at the Paralympics or Olympics with bronze medals in women’s 100m T35 and 200m T35 events. In addition, Rubina Francis became the first-ever Indian female to win a Paralympic Games medal in pistol event.
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