From A Chip on Their Shoulder to Bearing the Weight of Expectation: Indian Para Athletes’ Continued Rise to Sporting Excellence
India’s Paralympic contingent has recorded a best-ever haul of 29 medals (seven golds, nine silvers and 13 bronze) at the 2024 Paris Paralympics so far (X)
It’s about time our para-athletes get the recognition they deserve, and for all of us, as a whole, to not turn a blind eye to the same, in an era of sport that is seemingly dominated by able-bodied representation.
To state that the Indian para-athletes have outdone themselves in their current campaign at the 2024 Paris Paralympics would be a blanket statement. I am not sure if that does justice to their achievements or the para-athletes themselves.
For context, a late evening rush of medals on September 3rd swelled India’s tally at the Paris Paralympics to 20 (3 gold, 7 silver, 10 bronze), surpassing its earlier best haul of 19 medals at the Tokyo Paralympic Games from three years ago. And now, going into the last day of the Paralympics, they stand at a jaw-dropping 29 medals — 7 golds, 9 silvers and 13 bronze — and are on the verge of securing a possible 30.
Let’s keep it blunt, not many of us saw this coming. I don’t mean that in the sense of having low expectations from our Indian para-athletic contingent, but rather not knowing what to expect of them. For we as a nation do not celebrate nor recognize them enough.
A part of me was inclined to talk about our para-athletes from the perspective of performances, especially by comparing them to the easy scapegoat, our Olympians who were quite unsuccessful in their campaign this year.
But then again, I stopped myself. Because why should we compare them to our Olympians, for better or for worse?
Now, this doesn’t mean our Olympians aren’t rid of their downfalls. Yes, the onus did (and to a great extent, still does) lie on them to have gotten the job done and deliver more silverware, especially a handful of those deemed to be in the upper echelon of their respective sport.
But their shortcomings can’t and shouldn’t be used to showcase the shining light that is our Paralympians’ success. For it is a light that shines brightest on its own, devoid of comparison.
Just think about this. Sport has always been a medium for one to attain and achieve immense growth and betterment in various facets of life. And for our para-athletes, it has surely been the same. Sport elevated their life and those around them, but the disability, and stigma they had to overcome and the risks they take for a chance at glory are unimaginable. All of it for what? Barely any recognition from us who watch them by chance once every four years?
So, why do their accomplishments, extraordinary as it may be, face exclusion from much of the mainstream recognition?
In an era of superstardom, it takes consistency and years of continued excellence for anyone and anything to be recognized by the masses, especially in a country like ours, where a flash-in-the-pan victory may yield personal gain but not one that is exponential and continued. And the Tokyo Paralympics were certainly such an event.
After their historic campaign in 2020, where India claimed 19 medals, the change did in fact occur. Funding, facilities, and fame: all were attained and played an integral role in ensuring the continued growth of para-athletics in our nation.
For instance, India is now fielding its largest-ever contingent of 84 athletes. 59 of these athletes are supported under TOPS, 17 are regular athletes of SAI NCOEs and the remaining are supported by Govt under the Khelo India scheme.
The growth within the para-athletic community has not only helped the hidden stars emerge and attain new heights but also helped bring new athletes into sports the contingent has never fielded any so far: India participated for the first time in Blind Judo, Cycling, and Rowing with equal representation in both genders (1 male & 1 female each) this time around at the Paris Paralympics.
Needless to say, institutional support has a huge role to play in ensuring the sustained development of our para-athletes.
“Institutionally there has been much better support towards Para-athletes, and the system and process of support by SAI, PCI, OGQ, etc. and the collaboration has improved significantly. Also, with more success comes more role models and this has resulted in a huge increase in self-belief in Para-athletes, that they can win Paralympic medals,” stated Viren Rasquinha, expert for Paris Olympics 2024 with JioCinema and Sports18.
In fact, even current Indian para-badminton head Gaurav Khanna has spoken about the extent of support that para-athletes receive from the government.
“I am very happy with the support I get from them. We have to consider so many issues they face. It is not easy to run our country and considering all that I feel very happy with what I get. I am getting support from the SAI, TOPS scheme, and other private companies like GoSports foundation,” stated Khanna in a conversation with News18 in 2021, after the Tokyo Paralympics.
Fascinatingly, another aspect behind the para-athletes’ successes also has to do with individuals who leave an impact. And in the realm of para-badminton, one such character has been Gaurav Khanna himself.
“He’s a one-man show who is totally dedicated. He’s got a lot of ideas about how to manage and bring the best out of the Paralympians,” stated former Indian badminton player Sanjay Sharma.
“He himself has his own academy, where a few of the para-badminton players reside and train. And what he has done brilliantly is that despite their different impairments, Gaurav has understood how to help each athlete out and bring out the best in them. I believe he will continue to do the same for years to come as well.”
And what does the goodwill and hard work of those like Khanna yield? The one thing we mentioned earlier: sustained success.