Abhinav Bindra to Illuminate Paris 2024 Olympic Torch Relay

New Delhi: Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist, has been chosen as a torchbearer for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Games scheduled from July 26 to August 11. Bindra clinched the gold medal in the men’s 10m air rifle category at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. As part of the Olympic torch relay, taking place from April 16 to July 26, Bindra will play a pivotal role.

Expressing his excitement, Bindra shared the news on his Instagram handle, stating, “Excited to share that I’ll be a torchbearer for the @paris2024 Olympic Games, a beacon of peace and perseverance across the globe. This flame represents our collective spirit and the power of dreams. A great privilege and honour!”

Commencing its journey in France on May 8, 2024, the Paris 2024 Olympic Torch Relay will traverse the country and cover 65 territories, including five overseas territories, over 68 days. Involving 10,000 torchbearers, including 3,000 participants in Team Relays, the relay will visit 400 cities.

The symbolic flame, initially ignited near Olympia in Greece, will embark on a unique sea journey aboard the Belem, a splendid three-masted ship, crossing the Mediterranean from Athens to Marseille. The torch relay will then showcase various regions of France, offering a glimpse of the flame to people from the mainland to overseas departments and territories.

The torchbearers underwent a thorough selection process starting from June 1, 2023. Abhinav Bindra, also a member of the Athletes Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), will contribute to the spirit and excitement of the Olympic Games through this significant role.