New Delhi: Abhinav Bindra, the trailblazing Indian who clinched the first individual Olympic medal for his country, has been honored with the prestigious Olympic Order for his exceptional contributions to the Olympic movement.
This esteemed award, the highest accolade from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for outstanding service, makes Bindra the first Indian to receive it. As a member of the IOC Athletes Commission, his achievement has been celebrated by many prominent figures.
The decision to award Bindra was made during the IOC Executive Board meeting in Paris on Saturday, and the news has been widely shared across social media by various government-related handles.
“It is with great pleasure that I inform you that the IOC Executive Board has today decided to award you with the Olympic Order for your outstanding services to the Olympic November,” IOC President Thomas Bach informed Bindra in a letter on Monday.
Bindra was informed that the award ceremony will take place during the 142nd IOC Session to be held in Paris on August 10.
“May I take this opportunity to address you my most sincere congratulations on this award. Looking forward to seeing you in Paris,” Bach said in the letter dated July 20, 2024.
Among those who wrote congratulatory messages to Bindra was Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya.
“Congratulations to Abhinav Bindra on being awarded the Olympic Order for outstanding contributions to the Olympic Movement! His achievement fills us with pride and is truly well-deserved. His name alone has inspired generations of shooters and Olympians,” Mandaviya, who is also Minister of Labour and Employment, wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Congratulations to @Abhinav_Bindra on being awarded the Olympic Order for outstanding contributions to the Olympic Movement!
His achievement fills us with pride and is truly well-deserved.
His name alone has inspired generations of shooters and Olympians. pic.twitter.com/w8i6Ykr09X
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) July 22, 2024
The official handle of IPL side Lucknow Super Giants also congratulated Bindra on getting the award.
“History-maker, once again, Congratulations Abhinav Bindra,” said the post on X, which was accompanied by a photo of Bindra when he won India’s maiden individual gold medal in men’s 10m air rifle in Beijing 2008.
History-maker, once again
Congratulations Abhinav Bindra pic.twitter.com/MZfuXH2LiT
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) July 22, 2024
