India Sends Largest Contingent to Paris 2024 Paralympics

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are set to commence in the City of Love, Paris, running from August 28 to September 8. This event marks the 17th edition of the Paralympic Games, celebrating the achievements of athletes with disabilities from across the globe.

India will be participating with its largest-ever contingent, comprising 84 athletes who will compete in 12 different sports. This includes 38 female and 46 male athletes. In comparison, the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics saw India sending a total of 54 athletes, which included 14 female and 40 male athletes, resulting in 19 medals.

The Indian team will feature participants in three new sports: para-cycling, para-rowing, and blind judo. This expansion brings India’s total sports participation to 12 for the 2024 event. The president of the Paralympic Committee of India, Devendra Jhanjharia, expressed confidence in the contingent’s performance, setting a target of at least 25 medals in Paris.

Notable athletes to watch include Sumit Antil, the reigning champion in men’s F64 javelin throw, who holds the world record with an impressive throw of 73.29 meters. He is also positioned to defend his gold medal in the upcoming games. Avani Lekhara, who made history as the first Indian woman to secure a gold medal in the Paralympics, is set to compete in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event. Additionally, Bhavina Patel, recognized as India’s first Paralympic medallist in table tennis, will participate in both the women’s singles and doubles events.

The complete list of participating Indian athletes is as follows: in Para Archery – Harvinder Singh, Pooja, Rakesh Kumar, Shyam Sundar Swami, Sarita, and Sheetal Devi; in Para Athletics – Sumit Antil and Bhagyashri Jadhav; in Para Badminton – Krishna Nagar, Suhas Yathiraj, Nitesh Kumar, Sivarajan Solaimlai, Sukant Kadam, Tarun, Nithya Sre Sumathi Sivan, and Palak Kohli; in Para Cycling – Arshad Shaik and Jyoti Gajeriya; in Para Rowing – Anita and K. Narayana; in Para Shooting – Avani Lekhara and Manish Narwal; in Para Swimming – Suyash Jadhav; in Para Table Tennis – Bhavina Patel and Sonalben Patel; in Blind Judo – Kapil Parmar and Kokila; and in Wheelchair Fencing – Chandeep Singh.

The schedule for Indian athletes at the 2024 Paralympics starts with Para Archery events on August 29, followed by Para Swimming on August 30, Para Athletics on August 31, Para Table Tennis on September 1, Para Badminton on September 2, Para Shooting on September 3, Para Rowing on September 4, Para Cycling on September 5, Blind Judo on September 6, and Wheelchair Fencing on September 7.

The 2024 Paris Paralympics will be broadcast live on Sports 18 Networks in India. In addition, fans can access live streaming through the JioCinema app and website.