The Paris Paralympics 2024, scheduled to take place from August 28 to September 8, is set to be a landmark event for India’s para-athletes. The nation will send its largest-ever contingent, comprising 84 athletes across 12 sports, showcasing the tremendous growth and increasing recognition of para-sports in India. With high hopes and rigorous preparations, the Indian contingent aims to surpass their previous performances and secure a record-breaking medal haul at these Games.
Time to Cheer once again🇮🇳 🎉 #India is set to send its largest-ever contingent of 84 athletes to the #ParisParalympics2024, aiming to surpass its historic 19-medal haul from #Tokyo2020.
In-Frame: Rushali #Paralympics2024 #olympics #sportsnews #latestnews #trendingnews pic.twitter.com/ZO6xPKv7Pc— VYGR | News App (@Vygrofficial) August 20, 2024
♦ An Unprecedented Representation
India's participation in the Paris Paralympics 2024 is historic, not only because of the size of the contingent but also due to the inclusion of more women athletes and new sports disciplines. The 84 athletes, which include 32 women, will compete across 12 sports: archery, athletics, badminton, canoeing, cycling, blind judo, powerlifting, rowing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, and taekwondo. This is a significant increase from the 54 athletes who represented India in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
Three new sports—para-cycling, para-rowing, and blind judo—will see Indian athletes competing on the global stage for the first time at the Paralympics. This expansion into new disciplines is a testament to the growing capabilities and determination of India's para-athletes, who continue to push boundaries and challenge norms.
♦ Preparation and Support
The Indian government and sports authorities have taken significant steps to ensure the athletes are well-prepared for the Games. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a recent interaction with the Indian contingent, expressed his pride in the athletes and emphasized the nation's confidence in their ability to bring laurels to the country. Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, also lauded the para-athletes, noting their resilience and determination in overcoming challenges.
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The athletes have been training rigorously, with many of them already proving their mettle in national and international competitions. Their preparation is not just about physical conditioning but also about mental resilience, as they gear up to face the world’s best in Paris.
♦ Indian Athletes Qualified for Paris Paralympics 2024
|
Sport |
Athlete(s) |
Event(s) |
|
Para Athletics |
Deepthi Jeevanji, Sumit Antil, Sandeep, Ajeet Singh, Sundar Singh Gurjar, Rinku, Navdeep, Yogesh Kathuniya, Dharambir, Pranav Soorma, Amit Kumar, Nishad Kumar, Ram Pal, Mariyappan Thangavelu, Shailesh Kumar, Sharad Kumar, Sachin Sarjerao Khilari, Mohd. Yasser, Rohit Kumar, Preethi Pal, Bhagyashri Madhavrao Jadhav, Manu, Parveen Kumar, Ravi Rongali, Sandip Sanjay Gurjar, Arvind, Dipesh Kumar, Praveen Kumar, Dilip Mahadu Gavit, Soman Rana, Hokato Hotozhe Sema, Sakshi Kasana, Karamjyoti, Rakshitha Raju, Amisha Rawat, Bhavanaben Ajabaji Chaudhary, Simran, Kanchan Lakhani |
Various Track & Field Events |
|
Para Archery |
Harvinder Singh, Rakesh Kumar, Shyam Sundar Swami, Pooja, Sarita, Sheetal Devi |
Recurve and Compound Events |
|
Para-Badminton |
Manoj Sarkar, Nitesh Kumar, Krishna Nagar, Sivarajan Solaimalai, Suhas Yathiraj, Sukant Kadam, Tarun, Manasi Joshi, Mandeep Kaur, Palak Kohli, Manisha Ramadass, Thulasimathi Murugesan, Nithya Sre Sivan |
Various Singles and Doubles Events |
|
Para Canoe |
Prachi Yadav, Yash Kumar, Pooja Ojha |
Kayak and Va’a Events |
|
Para Cycling |
Arshad Shaik, Jyoti Gaderiya |
Road and Track Events |
|
Blind Judo |
Kapil Parmar, Kokila |
Men’s -60kg J1, Women’s -48kg J2 |
|
Para Powerlifting |
Paramjeet Kumar, Ashok, Sakina Khatun, Kasthuri Rajamani |
Various Weight Categories |
|
Para Rowing |
Anita, Naryana Konganapalle |
PR3 Mixed Double Sculls |
|
Para Shooting |
Amir Ahmad Bhat, Avani Lekhara, Mona Agarwal, Nihal Singh, Manish Narwal, Rudransh Khandelwal, Sidhartha Babu, Sriharsha Devaraddi Ramakrishna, Swaroop Mahavir Unhalkar, Rubina Francis |
Various Shooting Events |
|
Para Swimming |
Suyash Narayan Jadhav |
Men’s 50m Butterfly – S7 |
|
Para Table Tennis |
Sonalben Patel, Bhavinaben Patel |
Women’s Singles and Doubles |
|
Para-Taekwondo |
Aruna |
Women’s K44 - 47kg |
♦ Medal Prospects and Expectations
India's performance at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics set a new benchmark, winning 19 medals, including five golds. The expectations are even higher this time, with experts and fans hoping for a bigger medal haul in Paris. Athletes like Sumit Antil (Men’s Javelin Throw – F64) and Avani Lekhara (Para Shooting) are among the top contenders expected to shine in their respective events.
The introduction of new sports also opens up additional avenues for medals. Para-cycling, para-rowing, and blind judo are disciplines where Indian athletes have shown promise in recent international events, and they could well become the surprise packages of the Games.
♦ Final Thoughts
As India gears up for the Paris Paralympics 2024, the nation stands united in support of its para-athletes. Their journey to the Games has been one of perseverance, hard work, and overcoming immense challenges. With the largest-ever contingent and expanded participation across new sports, India is poised to significantly impact Paris. The entire country will be watching and cheering as these exceptional athletes strive for glory on the world stage.
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