After 11 days of competition, Indian para-athletes won seven gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze medals at the Paris Paralympics….reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has commended Indian para-athletes who bagged 29 medals at the Paralympic Games held in Paris, marking the country’s best-ever performance at the Games.
The Prime Minister took to social media platform X to hail the “unwavering dedication and indomitable spirit” of these para-athletes.
“Paralympics 2024 have been special and historical,” Prime Minister Modi said in a post on X.
“India is overjoyed that our incredible para-athletes have brought home 29 medals, which is the best ever performance since India’s debut at the Games. This achievement is due to the unwavering dedication and indomitable spirit of our athletes. Their sporting performances have given us many moments to remember and inspired several upcoming athletes,” he added.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games lowered the curtain on Sunday evening.
The closing ceremony at Stade de France was attended by approximately 64,000 spectators and more than 8,500 athletes and accompanying staff.
After 11 days of competition, Indian para-athletes won seven gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze medals at the Paris Paralympics.
India’s first medal in the Paralympics came in the 1972 Games, with Murlikant Petkar winning a gold medal in swimming. Prior to the 2024 Games, India had won 31 medals across 12 Paralympic Games.
‘Will be Remembered for Very Long Time’
Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar showered praise on India’s para-athletes following their record-breaking campaign at the Paris Paralympics.
“7-9-13 on 7-9-24! That’s how we closed the Paris Paralympics! 7 Golds, 9 Silvers, and 13 Bronzes–our best-ever Paralympics, and by some distance! These numbers are etched in stone now and will be remembered for a very long time. And so will the moments. There is a lot to love about how the Indian contingent played the games, and I wholeheartedly congratulate all the players, administrators, and support staff for achieving this,” Sachin wrote on X.
India rewrote several records and unlocked some new “firsts” at the Paralympic Games. Para-shooter Avani Lekhara became the first ever Indian woman to secure two Paralympic gold medals as she managed to defend her women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 shooting title with a world record score of 249.7 points.
India recorded a one-two finish at a para-athletics competition for the first time, with Dharambir and Parnav Soorma clinching gold and silver, respectively, in the men’s club throw F51 event. This was among India’s first-ever medals in this sport. Dharambir also set an Asian record of 34.92 m.
In the T64 high jump event, Praveen Kumar stood at the top of the podium with an Asian record-breaking jump of 2.08 m, landing India their sixth gold. India finished the competition with seven gold medals.
Nita Ambani Lauds India’s Para-Athletes
International Olympic Committee (IOC) member and founder-chairperson of Reliance Foundation, Nita Ambani, lavished praise on the Indian contingent for their record-breaking display at the recently concluded Paris Paralympics.
The Indian contingent concluded its historic Paralympics campaign in Paris on Sunday with a record haul of 29 medals, including seven gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze. The 29-medal tally is the most by India in the history of the Paralympics. Following the conclusion of the landmark campaign, India surpassed its record medal tally of 19, which was achieved at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
Nita Ambani congratulated the Indian para-athletes for their remarkable success in the marquee event, and said as quoted from a press release, “As the Paris 2024 Paralympics come to a close, I am filled with immense pride for India’s extraordinary athletes. With the highest-ever tally of 29 medals, including a record 7 golds and our best-ever ranking, you have not only broken records but also barriers! India stands tall today because of your grit, talent, and achievements. You have united the nation in celebration and inspired millions to dream big! I salute each one of your journeys and wish you even greater glory in the years to come. Many, many congratulations. Jai Hind!”
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