Abhinav Bindra Honored with Olympic Order at 142nd IOC Session in Paris

Indian shooting legend Abhinav Bindra has been awarded the prestigious Olympic Order by the International Olympic Council at their 142nd session in Paris. Bindra, India's first individual Olympic gold medalist, continues to contribute significantly to global sport through leadership roles and initiatives fostering sports education and environmental conservation.

In a grand event held at the 142nd International Olympic Council (IOC) Session in Paris, legendary Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra was conferred with the prestigious Olympic Order. Established in 1975, this accolade is the highest honor awarded by the IOC, recognizing individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Olympic Movement, as noted by Olympic.com.

Reflecting on his journey, the 41-year-old Bindra stated, "When I was a young boy, it was these Olympic rings that gave meaning to my life." Bindra, a five-time Olympian, expressed, "It was a privilege to pursue my Olympic dream for over two decades." Post his athletic career, his dedication to the Olympic Movement has been unwavering. Bindra added, "This award only fuels my passion more, and I hope to continue contributing to the Olympic Movement for the rest of my life."

Bindra's illustrious career is decorated with numerous accolades. He became the first Indian to clinch an individual Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games in the men's 10m air rifle event and also holds a World Championship gold in air rifle shooting. Over his two-decade career, he won over 150 individual medals and received the highest honor from the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF), the Blue Cross, in 2018.

Following his retirement, Bindra established the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT) to support grassroots athletes in India. The foundation leverages cutting-edge sports science technology to enhance high-performance training and education. A significant initiative under his leadership is the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP), aiming to instill Olympic values in over 11,000 schools across Odisha and Assam, impacting more than a million students.

Bindra's commitment to sustainability is exemplified by the Odisha Ridley Forest Project, focusing on the conservation of endangered Olive Ridley turtles. This initiative enhances local community engagement in environmental education. Bindra's recent election as the Second Vice-Chair of the IOC Athlete Commission further cements his enduring legacy in global sports governance.

(With inputs from agencies.)