The 2024 Paris Paralympics represent a monumental milestone in India’s Paralympic journey. This landmark achievement underscores the resilience, talent and dedication of Indian para-athletes
By Kamran Khan
India achieved its most successful Paralympic campaign ever, at the 2024 Paris Games, winning an unprecedented 29 medals — 7 gold, 9 silver, and 13 bronze. This landmark achievement marks a significant milestone in India’s Paralympic history, demonstrating the nation’s growing prominence on the international stage. The Paris Paralympics have highlighted India’s rising stature in para-sports and the broader evolution of the Paralympic movement.
The origins of the Paralympics date back to July 29, 1948, when Dr Ludwig Guttmann organized the Stoke Mandeville Games, a pioneering event for wheelchair athletes. This initial competition, with 16 injured servicemen and women participating in archery, laid the groundwork for the Paralympic Games, creating a global platform for athletes with disabilities.
From these modest beginnings, the Paralympic movement has expanded significantly, with the first official games held in Rome in 1960, featuring 400 athletes from 23 countries. Since then, both the Summer and Winter Paralympics have grown in scale and prestige, held every four years in conjunction with the Olympics, thanks to an agreement between the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
While India’s Olympic success was traditionally centered around hockey, the Paralympics have seen individual athletes achieve remarkable feats and bring pride to the nation. The Paris 2024 Paralympics stands as a testament to India’s progress in this domain, showcasing the dedication and extraordinary achievements of its para-athletes.
India made its Paralympic debut in 1968 at the games in Tel Aviv, Israel, with a delegation of 10 athletes — 8 men and 2 women. Although the country did not win any medal, this marked India’s first significant exposure to the global Paralympic stage.
In 1972, at the Heidelberg Games in Germany, India celebrated its first Paralympic success. Para-swimmer, Murlikant Petkar, won gold in the 50m freestyle swimming event, setting a world record with a time of 37.331 seconds. Despite this achievement, Petkar’s gold remained India’s sole medal at the games, with the country finishing 24th out of the 42 participating nations.
The period from 2012 to 2020 was transformative for India’s Paralympic history, marked by significant growth in performance and global recognition. Starting with Girisha N Gowda’s silver medal at the 2012 London Paralympics, followed by a four-medal haul at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, and culminating in a record 19 medals at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, this era showcased the dedication and talent of Indian para-athletes. Their achievements elevated India’s status in the Paralympic arena and inspired millions by breaking barriers and setting new records.
At the 2012 London Paralympics, India won its sole medal through Girisha N Gowda, who secured silver in the Men’s High Jump F42 category. Gowda’s performance highlighted his exceptional skill and brought pride to the nation, even though it was India’s only podium finish at these games.
The 2016 Rio Paralympics set new benchmarks in visibility and engagement, with a record 4,328 athletes from 160 countries and numerous records broken. India’s performance was notable, winning four medals.
Mariyappan Thangavelu won gold in the men’s high jump F42, while Varun Singh Bhati earned a bronze in the same event. Devendra Jhajharia won gold in the men’s javelin throw F46, and Deepa Malik achieved silver in the Women’s Shot Put F53. These successes underscored India’s rising prominence in the Paralympic arena.
The 2020 Tokyo Paralympics were a landmark event, with 4,393 athletes from 164 countries competing. India achieved its best performance to date, securing 19 medals — 5 gold, 8 silver, and 6 bronze.
Avani Lekhara won gold in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 and bronze in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1. Sumit Antil earned gold in the men’s javelin throw F64. In badminton, Pramod Bhagat and Krishna Nagar claimed gold medals, while Manoj Sarkar and Suhas Yathiraj added bronze and silver, respectively. Athletics and shooting also contributed to the medal count, with India finishing 24th overall.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, held from August 28 to September 8, 2024, were a grand celebration of global athletic talent and inclusivity. With 4,400 athletes from 22 sports, the games were hosted in iconic Parisian venues.
India’s performance at Paris 2024 was its best ever, with a record 84 athletes competing in 12 sports. This impressive representation reflects growing support for para-sports and the impact of government initiatives like the Khelo India program and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). TOPS provides top athletes with comprehensive support, including financial assistance and personalized training.
India, with 29 medals — 7 gold, 9 silver, and 13 bronze — secured an 18th-place finish in the overall medal tally. This achievement marks a historic moment for Indian para-sports.
Key performances included Avani Lekhara’s gold in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1, Nitesh Kumar’s gold in the men’s singles SL3 badminton, and Sumit Antil’s gold in the men’s javelin throw F64. Other notable achievements were Harvinder Singh’s gold in archery and Navdeep Singh’s triumph in the Men’s Javelin Throw F41. The Games featured a collective effort from many athletes, highlighting the strength and potential of Indian para-sports.
The 2024 Paris Paralympics represent a monumental milestone in India’s Paralympic journey. This landmark achievement underscores the resilience, talent and dedication of Indian para-athletes, and the significant support from initiatives like Khelo India and TOPS. The games stand as a defining chapter in India’s sporting history, inspiring future generations and reaffirming the nation’s commitment to excellence and inclusivity in sports.