No Odia Athletes in India’s Largest Ever Paralympic Contingent

Bhubaneswar: The upcoming Paris 2024 Paralympics, scheduled from August 28 to September 8, will witness over 4,400 athletes from around the globe competing in various sports. India is set to make history by sending its largest-ever contingent to the Paralympic Games, with 84 athletes proudly representing the nation. However, this impressive number comes with a noticeable absence – none of the athletes in this year's contingent are from Odisha. 

Odisha has a strong history of representation in past Paralympics, making this absence particularly significant. The state, known for producing talented sportspeople, has been left out this year, raising questions and concerns among sports enthusiasts. 

India's delegation includes 32 women, marking a significant increase from the 14 women who participated in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. The contingent will compete in 12 different sports, including three new additions: para-cycling, para-rowing, and blind judo. These new sports expand India's participation in the global event, bringing more opportunities for the athletes to showcase their talents. 

Among the athletes heading to Paris, notable names include Avani Lekhara, who made history at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics by becoming the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic gold medal in shooting. She will compete in the 10m air rifle standing SH1 event. Another athlete to watch is Sumit Antil, the gold medalist in men's F64 javelin throw at Tokyo 2020, who is also the world record holder in his category. 

The Indian contingent also features athletes competing in para archery, para badminton, para canoe, para powerlifting, para shooting, para swimming, para table tennis, and para taekwondo. These athletes have trained rigorously to represent the country and bring glory to India. 

While the absence of Odia athletes is disappointing, the nation remains hopeful that the athletes representing India at the Paris 2024 Paralympics will continue to inspire and make the country proud. The increase in the number of athletes, particularly women, reflects the growing support and recognition of para-sports in India. The country's participation in new sports categories also showcases India's expanding presence on the global Paralympic stage. 

As the Paralympics draw closer, all eyes are on Paris, where the athletes will not only compete for medals but also embody the spirit of resilience and determination that defines the Paralympic Games.