Paris: Indian shooting icon Abhinav Bindra was honored with the Olympic Order at the 142nd International Olympic Council (IOC) Session in Paris. This distinguished award, the highest recognition from the IOC, has been given since 1975 to individuals who have made significant contributions to the Olympic Movement, according to Olympic.com.
Reflecting on his journey, the 41-year-old Bindra expressed, “The Olympic rings provided the purpose I needed as a young boy.” Bindra, who competed in five Olympic Games, added, “Pursuing my Olympic dream for over two decades was an incredible experience.” Even after stepping away from competitive shooting, his dedication to the Olympic ideals remains strong. “This award only strengthens my resolve to support the Olympic Movement throughout my life,” he stated.
Bindra’s career is marked by a series of remarkable achievements. He made history by becoming the first Indian to win an individual Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games in the men’s 10m air rifle event and also secured a World Championship gold in the same category. Over his 20-year career, Bindra earned more than 150 individual medals and was recognized with the Blue Cross, the highest honor from the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF), in 2018.
Since retiring, Bindra has focused on giving back to the sports community through the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT), which he established to support grassroots athletes in India. The foundation employs advanced sports science technology to enhance high-performance training and education. One of his key initiatives, the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP), seeks to instill Olympic values in over 11,000 schools across Odisha and Assam, impacting more than a million students.
In addition to his contributions to sports, Bindra is also committed to environmental sustainability. His Odisha Ridley Forest Project is dedicated to preserving the endangered Olive Ridley turtles and promoting environmental education and conservation within local communities.