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India Triumphs at the Paris Paralympics 2024: A New Era for Para-Athletes

Celebrating India’s Unprecedented Success and Its Impact

India Triumphs at the Paris Paralympics 2024: A New Era for Para-Athletes

  • 20 Sep, 2024
  • 389

Understanding the Paris Paralympics

The Paralympic Games are a prestigious international multi-sport event that brings together athletes with various disabilities. Following the Olympic Games, the Paralympics take place in the same host city and utilize many of the same facilities. This event aims to highlight the exceptional capabilities and accomplishments of athletes with disabilities.

India's Stellar Performance in 2024

At the Paris Paralympics 2024, India recorded its best-ever performance in history, securing an impressive total of 29 medals: 6 gold, 10 silver, and 13 bronze. This achievement placed India in 18th position overall, marking a significant improvement over past performances.

Sports Competed by Indian Athletes

Indian athletes showcased their skills across various disciplines, including athletics, badminton, shooting, archery, and judo. Notably, athletics emerged as the most successful sport, contributing a remarkable 18 medals to the total medal count.

Standout Indian Athletes

Several athletes delivered exceptional performances at the Paris Paralympics. Avani Lekhara excelled in shooting, defending her gold medal while setting a new Paralympic record. Sumit Antil also shone in the javelin throw, establishing a record in his event. Furthermore, Mariyappan Thangavelu in high jump and Harvinder Singh in archery significantly bolstered India's medal tally.

Factors Behind India's Success

India's remarkable success can be attributed to enhanced government support, improved training facilities, and focused preparation. The Indian government's increased funding and resources, along with considerable public and corporate sponsorship, provided a solid foundation for the athletes' success.

Public and Media Reaction

The response to India's achievements was overwhelmingly positive, characterized by extensive media coverage and public celebrations. The athletes were duly recognized for their accomplishments, becoming symbols of inspiration and resilience.

Future Implications for Para-Athletes

The triumph at the Paris Paralympics suggests a promising future for Indian para-athletes. With sustained support and development, India is poised to enhance its standing and achieve even greater success in forthcoming international competitions.

Impact on Perception of Disabled Athletes

India's performance has significantly raised awareness and transformed perceptions regarding the capabilities of individuals with disabilities. It emphasizes the role of sports as a vehicle for empowerment and social change, fostering more inclusive and supportive practices within both sports and society.

“Victory is in having done your best. If you’ve done your best, you’ve won.” This quote encapsulates the spirit of every Paralympian and serves as a guiding principle for future endeavors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What are the Paralympic Games?
Answer: The Paralympic Games are an international multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities, held after the Olympic Games in the same host city, showcasing their remarkable abilities.

Q2. How many medals did India win at the Paris Paralympics 2024?
Answer: India won a historic total of 29 medals at the Paris Paralympics 2024, comprising 6 gold, 10 silver, and 13 bronze medals.

Q3. Which sport contributed the most to India's medal tally?
Answer: Athletics was the most successful discipline for India at the Paris Paralympics, contributing a total of 18 medals to the country's overall count.

Q4. Who were the standout athletes for India?
Answer: Notable Indian athletes included Avani Lekhara in shooting, who set a new record, and Sumit Antil in javelin throw, who also achieved a record in his event.

Q5. What does India's success indicate for the future of para-athletes?
Answer: India's success at the Paralympics points to a bright future for para-athletes, with the potential for continued improvement and greater achievements in international competitions.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What was India’s total medal count at the Paris Paralympics 2024?
A) 29 medals
B) 30 medals
C) 25 medals
D) 20 medals
Correct Answer: A

Question 2: Which sport contributed the most medals for India in the 2024 Paralympics?
A) Badminton
B) Archery
C) Athletics
D) Judo
Correct Answer: C

Question 3: Who defended their gold medal in shooting at the 2024 Paralympics?
A) Sumit Antil
B) Harvinder Singh
C) Avani Lekhara
D) Mariyappan Thangavelu
Correct Answer: C

Question 4: How did the public react to India’s performance in the 2024 Paralympics?
A) Indifferent
B) Overwhelmingly positive
C) Negative
D) Critical
Correct Answer: B

 

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