Paralympics 2024: How India achieved a record medal haul in Paris

The Indian para-athletes won both hearts and medals - 29 to be precise from the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

The stellar achievement, comprising of seven gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze medals, eclipsed the the Tokyo Paralympics haul of 19 medals with ease.

Since India's debut at the Paralympics in 1968, the nation's performance has never been as impressive as it was at the Paris Paralympics.

Consider this, as recent as the Rio Olympics in 2016, the country returned with just four medals. But since the Tokyo Paralympics, the tide has turned.

India's performance witnessed a significant surge at the Tokyo Paralympics, where the country registered a double-digit medal count for the first time.

And now, with 29 medals in Paris, India has surpassed its previous best, with shuttlers and track and field athletes leading the way.

Several factors have contributed to India's successful campaign at the Paralympics 2024.

A rise in para-athletes

The surge in the number of para-athletes has played a crucial role in India's success.

From 19 para-athletes in Rio to 54 in Tokyo, and now a record-breaking 84-member contingent in Paris, the increase in contestants has significantly boosted India’s medal chances.

More contestants simply mean more medal-opportunities, and this proved true for India in Paris.

With Indian para-athletes receiving government support through various schemes, they gained ample international exposure. Also, support from top coaches has only bolstered their chance of success.

Increased funding

The Indian government's investment in para-athletes' preparations skyrocketed through Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), with an 184 per cent increase in funding compared to the Tokyo cycle (2016-2021).

A total of Rs 74 crore was spent from 2021 to 2024, a leap from Rs 26 crore in the previous cycle.

Support staff

After sending a 45-member coaching and support staff to the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021, the Indian Paralympic Committee (IPC) increased the number to 77, ensuring that Indian athletes had timely access to their coaches throughout the Games, enabling them to set the right strategies during the games.

Scientific approach

Indian coaches are no longer making decisions based on assumptions and intuition; they are now equipped with advanced technologies.

There is a growing reliance on data and scientific analysis when evaluating players' performances.

The use of technology in sports has also reduced the risk of injury by allowing coaches to detect potential issues in their athletes early.

Indian para-athletes in Paris also used assistive technologies that helped to improve their bodily function and overall well-being.

Assistive technologies, as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO), are 'the application of knowledge and skills related to products, systems, and services that help people maintain or improve their functioning and independence.'

They help improve an individual’s functioning concerning cognition, hearing, mobility, vision, and communication.

For instance, technologies like hearing aids, modified racing bicycles, release brace in archery, running blades, and modified wheelchairs were used by Indian para-athletes enabling them to be more productive than ever.

However, while noting the increasing use of technology in para-sports in India, especially in discovering data about players' bodies and tailoring their training accordingly, para-badminton coach Gaurav Khanna told The Bridge that India still has a long way to go in terms of technology use in para-sports.

He emphasized the need for precise monitoring of athletes' heart rates, mental health, recovery, and body mass index (BMI).

Para-badminton

Though India won the highest number of medals (17) in para-athletics, the inclusion of para-badminton at the Tokyo Paralympics proved immensely beneficial.

This year, out of India's 29 medals, five were won in badminton, including a gold, two silver, and two bronze.

The Indian para-badminton team finished fifth in the overall country rankings at the Paralympics, while the athletics contingent finished 12th.