India’s Record-Breaking Day at Paris 2024 Paralympics: 8 Medals in a Single Day (GS Paper 2, Sports)
Introduction
- September 2, 2024, will be etched in history as India's most successful day in Paralympic history, with the nation clinching a record eight medals.
- This impressive feat marks a significant leap from previous records and underscores the growing prowess of Indian athletes on the global stage.
A Historic Achievement
- Before the Tokyo Paralympics, India’s best medal tally in a single edition was four, achieved in both the 1984 and 2016 Games.
- Tokyo 2020 saw a notable increase with five medals, including a gold for Sumit Antil in men’s javelin.
- However, the Paris 2024 Games have set a new benchmark with eight medals won in a single day.
The Medal-Winning Moments
Silver – Yogesh Kathuniya (Athletics)
- Yogesh Kathuniya began the medal haul with a silver in Men’s Discus Throw – F56.
- Despite a season-best throw and retaining his medal from Tokyo, Kathuniya felt he had more to offer and could have contended for gold.
Gold – Nitesh Kumar (Badminton)
- Nitesh Kumar achieved a remarkable victory in Men’s Singles SL3, overcoming top seed Daniel Bethell in a thrilling 80-minute match with scores of 21-14, 18-21, 23-21.
- This win secured India’s second gold medal of the Games and continued the success in the sport despite the suspension of Tokyo champion Pramod Bhagat.
Silver – Thulasimathi Murugesan (Badminton)
- Thulasimathi Murugesan secured a historic silver in Women’s Singles SU5.
- Facing the reigning Paralympic and World Champion Yang Qiu Xia, Murugesan pushed her opponent but ultimately lost in straight games, marking India’s first female medal in para badminton at the Paralympics.
Bronze – Manisha Ramadass (Badminton)
- Just before Murugesan’s final, 19-year-old Manisha Ramadass secured bronze in Women’s Singles SU5 by defeating her Danish rival in straight games.
- This ensured that India had two shuttlers on the podium in this event.
Silver – Suhas Yathiraj (Badminton)
- Suhas Yathiraj, the World No 1 in Men’s Singles SL4, retained his silver from Tokyo after a close contest with Lucas Mazur.
- Despite the home crowd’s support for Mazur, Yathiraj showed resilience, adding another silver to his Paralympic tally.
Bronze – Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi (Archery)
- In Mixed Team Compound Open Archery, Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi overcame a semifinal loss to Iran to secure bronze against Italy.
- This medal was India’s first in archery at the Paris Games and came after a series of near misses in previous events.
Gold – Sumit Antil (Athletics)
- Sumit Antil, the javelin thrower who captured gold in Tokyo, defended his title with a spectacular performance in Paris.
- His throws, including a record-breaking 70.59 meters, reaffirmed his dominance in the event.
Bronze – Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan (Badminton)
- Late in the evening, Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan added another bronze to India’s tally with a commanding victory over Indonesia’s Rina Marlina in Women’s Singles SH6.
- This win concluded a memorable day for Indian para badminton, which saw five medals, three of which were won by female shuttlers.
About the Paralympic Games
- The Paralympic Games, officially known as the Games of the Paralympiad, began as a small gathering of British World War II veterans in 1948.
- This initial event, known as the Stoke Mandeville Games, was organized by Dr. Ludwig Guttmann at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital in England. Guttmann, a neurologist, used sport as a form of rehabilitation for injured soldiers.
- The first official Paralympic Games took place in Rome in 1960, featuring 400 athletes from 23 countries.
- Since the 1988 Seoul Games, the Paralympics have been held in the same city as the Olympic Games, typically shortly after the Olympics conclude.
- The Games are governed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), which oversees their organization and development.
Growth and Structure
- The Paralympics include both Summer and Winter Games.
- The Summer Paralympics feature sports such as athletics, swimming, and wheelchair basketball, while the Winter Paralympics include alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and ice sledge hockey.
- The Games feature various athlete classification categories to ensure fair competition, including impaired muscle power, limb deficiency, vision impairment, and intellectual impairment.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
- The Paris 2024 Paralympics, running from August 28 to September 8, will be a landmark event, marking the first time the Summer Paralympics are hosted in France.
- The Games will feature around 4,400 athletes competing in 22 sports across iconic venues in Paris, including the Eiffel Tower and the Château de Versailles.
- For the first time, the opening ceremony will be held outside of a stadium, with athletes parading through the Avenue des Champs-Élysées to Place de la Concorde, an event expected to draw 65,000 spectators.
- The medals for the Paris Games include pieces of iron from the Eiffel Tower and are designed with engravings and braille, celebrating French cultural heritage and the values of inclusivity.
- The Paralympic Phryge, inspired by the Phrygian cap, represents liberty and freedom, while the Paralympic Torch, designed by Mathieu Lehanneur, emphasizes themes of equality, water, and peacefulness.
- The Paris 2024 Games continue to drive improvements in accessibility and inclusivity, making a lasting impact on communities and inspiring future generations of athletes.
Legacy and Impact
- The Paralympic Games play a crucial role in promoting the rights and abilities of people with disabilities, offering a platform for athletes to showcase their talents and challenge societal perceptions.
- The Games also drive positive changes in accessibility and inclusivity, leaving a lasting legacy and inspiring others to engage in and support para sports.
