Indian Paralympic Team Heads to Paris with High Hopes for 2024 Games
New Delhi, August 25: Over 20 athletes from India’s Paralympic team left for Paris from Delhi airport on Sunday. They are aiming to surpass the record of 19 medals won at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. The Paris Paralympics will take place from August 28 to September 8.
India’s Largest-Ever Paralympic Contingent
Satya Prakash Sangwan, Vice President of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), will lead the largest-ever Indian contingent of 84 para-athletes competing in 12 sports. Sangwan expressed confidence that the team will win at least 25-30 medals, including 10 golds.
Key Athletes and Support
Notable athletes include table tennis stars Bhavina Patel and Sonalben Patel, para-badminton players Manoj Sarkar, Manisha Ramdass, and gold medallist Krishna Nagar. Sangwan highlighted the support from the central government, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), and Swayam, PCI’s accessibility partner.
Athletes’ Optimism
Manoj Sarkar, a bronze medallist from Tokyo 2020, aims to win a gold medal this time. Bhavina Patel, a silver medallist from Tokyo 2020, and Sonalben Patel are also optimistic about their performances. Shot put athlete Sachin and para-badminton player Manisha Ramdass expressed gratitude for the support received under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).
Challenges and Hopes
Despite the absence of Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Pramod Bhagat due to an anti-doping violation, the team remains hopeful. Discus throw athlete Sakshi Kasana is confident that athletics will bring the majority of the medals.
At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, India won a total of 19 medals, including five golds, eight silvers, and six bronzes. The team aims to achieve even greater success in Paris.
Doubts Revealed
Paralympic -: The Paralympics are a major international sports event for athletes with disabilities. They happen right after the Olympics.
Paris -: Paris is the capital city of France, a country in Europe. It’s famous for the Eiffel Tower.
2024 Games -: The 2024 Games refer to the Paralympic Games that will be held in 2024.
Tokyo 2020 -: Tokyo 2020 refers to the Paralympic Games that were held in Tokyo, Japan, in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
PCI -: PCI stands for Paralympic Committee of India, which is the organization that manages India’s participation in the Paralympics.
Vice President -: A Vice President is a high-ranking official in an organization, just below the President.
Satya Prakash Sangwan -: Satya Prakash Sangwan is the Vice President of the Paralympic Committee of India.
contingent -: A contingent is a group of people representing a country or organization in an event.
para-athletes -: Para-athletes are athletes who have disabilities and compete in the Paralympics.
Bhavina Patel -: Bhavina Patel is an Indian para-athlete who competes in table tennis.
Sonalben Patel -: Sonalben Patel is another Indian para-athlete who also competes in table tennis.
Manoj Sarkar -: Manoj Sarkar is an Indian para-athlete who competes in badminton.
Pramod Bhagat -: Pramod Bhagat is a famous Indian para-badminton player who won a gold medal in Tokyo 2020.
government and private entities -: These are organizations and companies that help support the athletes with money and resources.
August 28 to September 8 -: These are the dates when the Paris Paralympics will take place in 2024.
