New Delhi: The Indian Paralympics contingent has registered an unprecedented number of people who will be boarding the Paralympic train. Paris Paralympics 2024, scheduled to start on 28th August, will see 179 members travelling to the ‘City of Lights’. Out of the 179 members, 84 are para-athletes who will participate in the proceedings in Paris.
But, things get interesting over here. The other 95 members of the travelling contingent are none other than team officials! Paris Paralympics 2024 will have almost 77 team officials, making it one of the highest in terms of support staff amongst all the travelling contingents. The other 18 members are evenly divided among medical officials and contingent officials.
India has sent the largest contingent ever to the Paralympics this time. Last time during the delayed Paralympics in Tokyo, India sent 54 members to the Paralympics. Out of the 54 members, India got 19 medalists in Tokyo- 5 gold, 8 silver, 6 bronze. This time the aim for the Indian contingent is to get at least 25 medals with a special impetus towards double-digit gold medals.
“Participants need more support staff…” The committee gives its justification
In response to the growing speculations around the travelling contingent, the authorities have said that Para athletes “need more support staff like personal coaches and escorts than able-bodied competitors…” Naturally, the travelling contingent in terms of the Paralympics is seeing an unprecedented amount of travelling members.
Paralympic Committee of India president Devendra Jhajharia is set to travel with the contingent to ensure the safety and security of the travelling contingent. Jhajharia is accompanied by Satya Prakash Sangwan who told the PTI, that both of them are travelling “to look after all the athletes”. The officials have wished the contingent the best of luck and expect the contingent to bring back more medals than Tokyo 2020.
Where to watch the Paris Paralympics 2024?
Paris 2024 will be the first Paralympic event where live coverage of the entire event will take place live on the Sports 18 1 HD/SD, Sports 18 2 HD/SD, VH1, MTV, and Colors networks.