After an exciting end to the 2024 Paris Paralympics, India’s para-athletes have again brought honor to our country with a record-breaking amount of medals. India achieved an all-time high number of medals with outstanding results in different events, enhancing its already significant prominence in the para-sport world.
In 74 medal events in 12 different sports, 84 participants from India participated.
| Sport | Men | Women | Total |
| Archery | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Athletics | 28 | 10 | 38 |
| Badminton | 7 | 6 | 13 |
| Cycling | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Judo | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Paracanoeing | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Powerlifting | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Rowing | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Shooting | 7 | 3 | 10 |
| Swimming | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Table tennis | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Taekwondo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 52 | 32 | 84 |
India participated in twelve different sports, including para-rowing, para-cycling, and blind judo, three new sports that the country will attempt.
A summary of India’s participation
At the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, our athletes took home 29 medals, including 7 gold, 9 silver, and 13 bronze. This was the country’s most successful Paralympic Games participation to date. Thanks to the 29 medals, India was ranked 18th in the points standings.
On Sunday, during the Paralympic Games in Paris, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Indian team for their outstanding performance. He said the athletes’ “unwavering dedication and indomitable spirit” were the reason for their triumph.
The Most Significant Indian Medals at the 2024 Paralympics
- Harvinder Singh – Gold in Archery
As the first Indian archer to win a gold medal individually at the Paralympics.
- Avani Lekhara – Gold in Shooting
Avani won the gold medal in the women’s 10m air rifle competition, continuing her winning streak from Tokyo 2020.
- Sumit Antil – Gold in Javelin Throw
Sumit maintained his gold from Tokyo and cemented his continued supremacy in the competition.
- Preeti Pal – Bronze Medals in Athletics
Preeti won bronze in both the T35 100m and 200m events, making history as the first Indian woman to win two medals in a single Paralympic Games.
- Mariyappan Thangavelu – Sliver in High Jump
Making history, Mariyappan Thangavelu became the first Indian to win three consecutive medals in the Paralympic Games. He took home silver in Tokyo 2020 and gold in Rio 2016.
- Sheetal Devi – Mixed Team Compound Archery
In 2024, Sheetal Devi won a bronze medal in compound archery, making history as the youngest Indian to earn a medal at the Paralympic Games. She did well with her feet even though she had no arms.
The Growth of Para-Sports in India
The outstanding achievements of Indian para-athletes have influenced attitudes, enhanced facilities, and motivated a new generation of athletes over time.
The Indian government, particularly the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), started to identify the potential of para-athletes over time through important initiatives like Khelo India.
The growth of para-sports has also been supported by the growing engagement of non-governmental organizations and business sponsors.
Our para-athletes were able to obtain the same respect, acknowledgment, and financial support as their Olympic counterparts, as demonstrated by the Tokyo Games.
The world was now paying attention to India’s para-sports, thanks to athletes like Pramod Bhagat and Avani Lekhara leading the way. The performance, which was nothing short of amazing, set the tone for what was to come next despite the pandemic constraints.
As a result, India has a succeeding para-sports atmosphere, with increasing numbers of people participating in sports ranging from badminton and swimming to athletics and shooting.
This development is a reflection of the talent and tenacity of Indian para-athletes as well as a larger cultural movement in favor of more inclusivity and assistance for people with disabilities.
The Legacy of India’s Paralympic Achievements
India participated in their first Paralympic Games in 1968. India’s first-ever medal winner was Murlikant Petkar, who won the gold in the men’s 50-meter freestyle event at the 1972 Games.
Joginder Singh Bedi became the first Indian multi-medalist at the 1984 Games as he took home two bronze and one silver medal from the athletic competitions.
With four medals from the Rio 2016 Paralympics, Team India achieved a record-breaking feat, with Deepa Malik being the country’s first-ever female medalist.
India had its greatest-ever performance in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, taking home 19 medals (5 gold, 8 silver, and 6 bronze).
India’s 2024 Paralympic legacy marks an important turning point in the country’s progress towards greater inclusion and competitiveness in sports for athletes with disabilities. This legacy is characterized by noteworthy accomplishments, such as an astounding medal total and performances that shatter records and showcase the talent and commitment of Indian Paralympians.
Beyond the number of medals won, 2024 will be remembered for its wider influence on social inclusion, inspiration, and ongoing dedication to developing Paralympic sports in India.
