Abhinav Bindra bestowed with prestigious Olympic Order at IOC session in Paris

New Delhi: Indian shooting legend Abhinav Bindra was awarded the prestigious Olympic Order by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the 142nd IOC Session in Paris on Saturday. The Olympic Order, established in 1975, is the highest honor bestowed by the IOC, recognising individuals who have made efforts and contributed to the Olympic Movement. Bindra’s name is etched in history as India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist.

Reflecting on the honor, Bindra said, “This recognition is not just a personal milestone but a testament to the spirit of perseverance and dedication that sports instill in us all. I am deeply honored to be recognized by the IOC, and I dedicate this to all the athletes and sports enthusiasts who strive to uphold the Olympic ideals.”

“When I was a young boy, it was these Olympic rings, which gave meaning to my life. And it was a privilege to be able to pursue my Olympic dream for over two decades. Post my athletic career, it has been a great passion of mine to try and contribute back to the Olympic Movement. It has been a privilege and an honour,” he added.

India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist, IOC Athletes’ Commission Vice-Chair @Abhinav_Bindra has been bestowed with the prestigious Olympic Order, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Olympic Movement. pic.twitter.com/j0hbtCqAPy

— IOC MEDIA (@iocmedia) August 10, 2024

Bindra, who is also the vice chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, became India’s first-ever Olympic individual gold medallist in the 2008 Beijing Games with a top finish in the men’s 10m air rifle event. After he was conferred with the honor, he said that the award would inspire him to continue to work even harder and keep contributing to the Olympic Movement.

Bindra at the Olympics

Bindra represented India at the Summer Games in five editions, beginning his stint at Sydney 2000. He shot to fame for the first time at Athens in 2004 when he made it to the final of the men’s 10m air rifle. With a successful campaign in Greece, he entered the Beijing Games 2008 with high hopes and ultimately defeated defending champion Zhu Qinan of China to win the gold medal. He also made it to the final at Rio 2016 but bagged a fourth-place finish.

Bindra has been a part of the IOC Athletes’ Commission since 2018 and the recognition that he received from the IOC speaks volumes of Bindra’s enduring legacy in the sporting world and his continued efforts to promote the Olympics and its values globally.

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 Former Indian Olympian Abhinav Bindra was honored with the elite Olympic Order for his distinguished contribution to Olympic movement in a session held by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Paris.  Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today