Abhinav Bindra Receives Prestigious Olympic Order

Indian Olympian Abhinav Bindra was honored with the highest IOC accolade, the Olympic Order, for his contributions to the Olympic Movement. Bindra's achievements include India's first individual Olympic Gold and significant contributions to sports governance, culminating in his foundational work for grassroots athletes in India.

India's pioneering Olympian Abhinav Bindra has been awarded the prestigious Olympic Order by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during its 142nd session in Paris. This honor underscores his exceptional contributions to the Olympic Movement and marks a significant milestone in his illustrious career.

Commenting on the honor, Bindra remarked, "This recognition is more than a personal achievement; it's a testament to the relentless spirit of perseverance and dedication sports instil in us. I'm deeply honored by the IOC's recognition and dedicate this to athletes and enthusiasts committed to upholding Olympic ideals." Bindra's storied journey includes being the first Indian to win an individual Olympic Gold at the 2008 Beijing Games in the Men's 10m Air rifle event and the first to secure a World Championship Gold in Air Rifle Shooting.

Over his two-decade career, Bindra has amassed over 150 individual medals, securing his status as one of India's greatest sports icons. His contributions were further recognized with the Blue Cross in 2018 by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF). Extending his impact beyond the field, Bindra chaired the ISSF Athletes Committee for eight years and serves on the IOC Athlete and Education Commissions, influencing global sports policies and advocating for athletes.

In retirement, Bindra founded the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT), a nonprofit aiding grassroots athletes in India via advanced sports science. ABFT's initiatives in high-performance training, education, and social upliftment integrate global best practices into India's sports landscape. A key project under Bindra's leadership is the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP), executed in collaboration with the IOC's Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage (OFCH) and state governments in Odisha and Assam.

Launched in Odisha (2022) and Assam (2023), OVEP aims to instill Olympic values in over 11,000 schools, impacting more than 1 million students. Promoting a culture of sports and holistic development, OVEP aims to reach 13 million children by 2025, positioning India as a leader in values-based education. Additionally, Bindra's commitment to environmental conservation is demonstrated through projects like the Odisha Ridley Forest Project, protecting the habitat of endangered Olive Ridley turtles along the Odisha coastline.

The IOC's recognition underscores Bindra's enduring legacy in sports and his commitment to promoting Olympic values globally.

(With inputs from agencies.)