Abhinav Bindra honored with prestigious Olympic Order at IOC Session in Paris

Abhinav Bindra Honored with Olympic Order at IOC Session in Paris

India’s first individual Olympic Gold medalist Abhinav Bindra was awarded the prestigious Olympic Order by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the 142nd IOC Session in Paris on Saturday. This is the highest honor bestowed by the IOC, and is presented to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to lift the Olympic Movement.

“This recognition is not just a personal milestone but a testament to the spirit of perseverance and dedication that sports instill in us all. I am deeply honored to be recognized by the IOC, and I dedicate this to all the athletes and sports enthusiasts who strive to uphold the Olympic ideals,” said Bindra.

Bindra's journey to this remarkable achievement is marked by numerous accolades and contributions both on and off the field. He is the first Indian to win an individual Olympic Gold medal. He achieved the feat at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, securing a gold in men's 10m air rifle event. He also holds the distinction of being the first Indian to win a World Championship Gold in Air Rifle Shooting.

In a career spanning for over two decades, Bindra emerged as a monumental figure in the Indian sports community, and  won over 150 individual medals. His exceptional service to the sport was further acknowledged when he was awarded the Blue Cross in 2018, the highest honor by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF).

Apart from making a mark in the sport, Bindra continued his diligent service to the sport post retirement. Continuing his service to the sport, Bindra chaired the ISSF Athletes Committee for eight years and is currently serving as a member of the IOC Athlete Commission and Education Commission.

Post-retirement, Bindra founded the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT), a nonprofit organization, dedicated to supporting grassroots athletes in India through cutting-edge sports science technology.

A key initiative under Bindra’s leadership is the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP), which is being implemented in partnership with the International Olympic Committee's Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage (OFCH) and state governments in Odisha and Assam. Launched in Odisha in 2022 and Assam in 2023, OVEP aims to instill the core Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect in over 11,000 schools, impacting more than 1 million schoolchildren. By fostering a culture of sports and holistic development, OVEP is positioning India as a leader in values-based education, with a goal of reaching 13 million schoolchildren by 2025.

This recognition highlights Bindra’s enduring legacy in the world of sports and his continued efforts to promote the values of Olympism globally.