New Delhi: The 2024 Paris Paralympics is set to start from August 28 to September 8, with more than 160 nations participating in the Summer Games. India has sent its largest contingent to the Paralympics 2024, with 84 athletes participating in the Paris Games.
The Indian athletes will compete across 12 events, including shooting, swimming, table tennis, archery, athletics, badminton, canoeing, cycling, blind judo, powerlifting, rowing and taekwondo and they will look to surpass their 19 medals record from the Tokyo Paralympics.
Team India won 5 gold, 8 silver and 6 bronze in the Tokyo Games. This is the first time that France is hosting Paralympic Games. The 2024 Summer Games will feature a remarkable 549 medal events across 22 sports. Just like the Paris Olympics 2024, the opening ceremony of the Paralympics will shift from the stadium to a dynamic parade that will journey from the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde.
India’s medal contenders in Paris Paralympics
1) Sumit Antil
Sumit Antil is the defending Paralympic champion in men’s F64 javelin throw and is one of the greatest athletes to have graced the Games. He is also a two-time world champion and won the titles in 2023 and 2024. Sumit will look to break his own world record of 73.29m at the Paris Paralympics.
2) Avani Lekhara
Avani won the gold medal in the 10m air rifle SH1 and bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 events at the Tokyo Paralympics. She will participate in three events at the Paris Paralympics, R2 – 10m air rifle SH1, R8 – 50m rifle 3 positions SH1, and R3 – mixed 10m air rifle prone SH1.
3) Mariyappan Thangavelu
Mariyappan Thangavelu won the gold medal in the men’s high jump T-63 category at Rio 2016 and a silver at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. He also won a silver medal at the Asian Games and a gold medal at the World Championships. The 29-year-old legend will look to win gold at Paris 2024.
Take a look at the three Indian athletes who are favourites to win medals at the Paris Paralympics 2024. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
