Why conversation around the Indian Paralympic medallists proves that the community is finally getting its due

At the recently-held 2024 Paris Olympics, the total number of medals won by the Indian contingent was six. However, this figure falls short of capturing the full scope of India's success in the French capital this year, especially when considering the remarkable achievements of Indian para-athletes at the ongoing 2024 Summer Paralympics. If six medals represented the norm, the reality is far more extraordinary. By September 2, 2024, Indian para-athletes had already secured a remarkable 15 medals, with the count still rising. This single day alone saw them clinch an outstanding seven medals, a testament to their exceptional talent and hard work. 

Indian para-athletes have consistently demonstrated extraordinary abilities, often surpassing the achievements of many able-bodied competitors. Historically, their accomplishments have been celebrated, though they sometimes face exclusion from mainstream recognition.

Not today, for September 2, 2024, will be a date that filled every Indian's heart with pride as they united in celebrating a day of success for the country's para-athletes. 

The winners of yesterday become the champions of today

It takes one moment for an individual to become an inspiration. Yesterday was all about 17-year old Sheetal Devi who took the internet by storm by winning bronze along with Rakesh Kumar in the mixed team compound event (archery) with the world praising her ability to shoot with her legs, jaw, and shoulders. In a clip that’s gone viral, Devi, in her pre-quarterfinal match, left the crowd in awe of her skills shooting a perfect 10. She may have lost the match, but Devi has won hearts and comes back a true champion, of spirit, hard work, and resilience. 

While the world marvels at Neeraj Chopra winning back-to-back medals at the Olympics in Javelin, Sumit Antil did one better. Although Chopra did put India on the Javelin map by winning Gold in 2021 and silver in Paris, Antil defended his crown to bag gold in the javelin event yesterday. Indian Javelin has not one but two poster boys now. Add to Antil, shooter Avani Lekhara is another champion who defended her gold. Shuttler Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj too added to his silver in the previous edition with a silver here. It was a double delight for runner Preethi Pal who bagged bronze in the Women’s 100m and 200m respectively. 

Another remarkable story that displays the resilience of the human spirit and the ability to persevere is that of Nitish Kumar. What certainly brings a smile is the headline in a leading daily newspaper that reads ‘IIT’s Nitesh engineers India success story’. While his life took a turn for the worst after he lost his left leg in a train accident in Visakhapatnam, Kumar’s admission into IIT Mandi saw him discover his love for badminton and achieve the impossible by winning a gold medal. 

There are champions all around us, we just didn’t know about them. 

New tournament, new change

One might argue that a new tournament will produce new winners and new public memory (that is very short), who then again will be forgotten soon. But, turns out, like mentioned above, social media and the press is pulling out all the stops towards ensuring that these individuals end up becoming household names. It’s a refreshing change to not see politicians on the front page and instead see personalities who do good for the country and motivate the public. Be it celebrities, dignitaries, or even the Indian cricket team, everyone is doing their bit to ensure that the entire world knows about these winners. 

But this change hasn’t happened overnight. It’s taken time to get here, says Prasanna Sant, sports commentator and analyst. “For any sport to grow and get its due, you need those outstanding performances, on a consistent basis. If you look at the shift in awareness, we were winning medals here and there, but our performance in the 2020 Summer Paralympics changed things for us and set us apart. The funding, investments, professional coaching, etc is reflected in numbers. And it could be more. So it isn’t a one-off occurrence,” adds Sant who speaks about what really made him happy. “As an avid reader, I get four newspapers across three languages at home. I am delighted to see the coverage that they’ve got in today’s edition. Seeing this is always a good sign for sport. India is changing their perspective, perception, becoming inclusive and more broad-minded.”

Stars of the past making champions of the future

The popularity of a sport has a lot to do with the people playing it with its chances increasing should they win on a consistent basis. And that’s exactly the reason behind these stars getting their due recognition, says Sant. “Star and hero building happens when you have done something really well. This anticipation of a medal win will only happen when there is precedence in history. Medals were expected from Antil and Lekhara as they were defending champions, plus they were going into the tournament in good form with their preparation and practice done well. While they’ve not just lived up to expectations, but surpassed it too, what’s outstanding is what happened yesterday—seven medals on a single day. When we look at the 2028 Paralympic Games (to be held in Los Angeles), all these stars from 2024 will be spoken about and become household names. And if India wins the bid for the Olympics, the sky is the limit.” 

Giving the country old champions and new sets the tone for countless budding individuals to follow the path set out by the likes of Devi, Antil, Lekhara, Kumar, etc. “Look at the history of sport. Change is made when a star is born. It’s Neeraj Chopra for javelin, but that’s happened only post 2021. Take badminton’s example. We had the likes of Prakash Padukone and Pullela Gopichand in the past, but everything changed when Saina Nehwal won bronze at the 2012 Olympics. She became the face of the sport for many budding shuttlers. That followed with PV Sindhu and now we have so much hope from Lakshya Sen who came so close to a medal in Paris. Go to any badminton academy today, there is no place. That happens when you know there is a career, there are opportunities. This will happen for para-athletes too. We’re getting there,” adds Sant. 

So much to learn from them

What happens on the field helps not just those athletes but audiences off the field as well. Ramji Srinivasan, the former head strength and conditioning coach of the India National Cricket Team has learnt a lot from them just by watching and working with them and urges us to do the same. “Be it any sport, there is so much to be learnt from these para-athletes. And one can use these lessons not only in the sports realm but in the corporate world as well. It’s an untapped resource that we aren’t harnessing well, I feel. They have so much will, grit, resilience, the ability to fight and overcome obstacles. You can learn so much about mental toughness from them. You don’t need to look anywhere else.” 

As far as what needs to change further, Sant hits the nail on the head. “I honestly feel that the word disabled should be deleted from the dictionary. It should be differently-abled. You just cannot say that they’re disabled. Imagine Sheetal Devi shooting the perfect 10 without arms. It’s unbelievable. It’s beyond the realms of thinking to imagine how she would have practiced. I teach sports management and was telling students that for her to even pick up the heavy equipment is something not even abled individuals can do. But she, without arms, doesn’t just lift it, but shoot a perfect 10. It was poetry in motion.” 

Srinivisan adds by saying that one should see them as individuals and not pity or feel sorrow for their condition. “They don’t expect it (pity or sympathy) to begin with. We gave more focus to an athlete not winning a medal and praise them just for qualifying. These para-athletes are doing so much. We need to treat them better. Things are more than just money and where one can grab eyeballs. Their victories are as good a win as those who participated at the Olympians.” 

Image credit: Getty Images

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