India’s Chef de Mission, Satya Prakash Sangwan, shed light on the final preparations of the Indian team for the Paris Paralympics 2024 on Thursday. Sangwan, at the helm of India’s largest-ever Paralympics contingent of 84 athletes, is enthusiastic about the prospects and predicts a memorable campaign.
Satya Prakash Sangwan at Paris Paralympics 2024SP Sangwan, the Vice President of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), landed in Paris on Sunday, and he shared the contagious excitement within the Indian team, which boasts 52 male and 32 female para athletes. Following India’s remarkable show at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020, the anticipation for the Paris Games has skyrocketed, and Sangwan is quite optimistic.
Hopes are high after a stellar performance in Tokyo where India brought home a record 19 medals, including five golds, securing the 24th spot in the medal tally. When questioned about India’s medal aspirations for Paris, Sangwan expressed confidence in a record-breaking performance. He firmly believes in bagging 28 medals this time around.
Aiming High: India’s Medal Hopes
We clinched four medals in the 2016 Rio Games and 19 in Tokyo, but now we’re eyeing a whopping 25-plus medals in Paris,” Sangwan confidently shared with India Press Live. “Something inside me says we are taking home 28 medals. We are not just aiming for it; we are sure of claiming 28 medals, including eight to ten golds in Paris.”
We aim to make our nation proud by finishing within the top 20 teams on the medal table in these Paralympics. India will undeniably finish in the top 20, and our ultimate goal is to break into the top ten.
The Tokyo Triumph and Paris Ambitions
Finishing 24th in the Tokyo medal standings was an unprecedented achievement for India, given that the country had never previously won more than five medals in any Paralympic Games. SP Sangwan stated with assuredness that while the primary aim is a top-ten finish in Paris, a top-twenty finish is a realistic and achievable goal.
Preparation and Strategy
Satya Prakash Sangwan outlined the rigorous preparations and the significant role of personal coaches. He revealed that the PCI has made special arrangements to accommodate these coaches in Paris, ensuring every athlete receives the best possible support and training.
The PCI has been very meticulous. We’ve made sure personal coaches are here with the athletes, and we’re leaving no stone unturned in our preparations
With the excitement and optimism buzzing around the Indian contingent, all eyes are now on the Paris Paralympics 2024. Fans and supporters from around the world are eagerly waiting to see if India can achieve its most ambitious goals yet and return home as one of the most successful nations in Paralympic history.
