India performed sensationally in the Paris Paralympics 2024. The nation finished with 29 medals, 7 golds, 9 silvers, and 13 bronzes, its best performance in the multinational event. Among all the para-athletes, archer Harvinder Singh alleged “discrimination” in the distribution of sporting prizes on Tuesday. The Paris gold-medal-winning archer questioned why the Khel Ratna title was not awarded to this year’s medalists at the Games, as it was in Tokyo.
Singh, who won bronze at the Tokyo Games. He won his first gold medal in Paris after defeating Poland’s Lukasz Ciszek 6-0 in the final. With this triumph, Singh became the first Indian archer to win a gold medal at either the Paralympics or the Olympics. He is also the first archer to have won medals in successive Paralympic Games, demonstrating his outstanding talent and determination.
In 2021, Neeraj Chopra, Tokyo Olympic champion, and Tokyo Paralympics gold medalists Avani Lekhara, Sumit Antil, and Pramod Bhagat received the Khel Ratna award for their achievements. Despite Manu Bhaker’s remarkable performance at the Paris Olympics. The National Sports Awards selection committee has not suggested Manu Bhaker’s name for an award. Jiwanjot Singh Teja, a national archery coach and Dronacharya Awardee, also took to social media. He supported Harvinder’s nomination for the renowned prize.
Harvinder Singh Exposes Sports Awards Bias
Harvinder Singh wrote on X, “Discrimination in sports. Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Gold medallists were awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, but what about the Paris 2024 Paralympic Gold medalists? Same competition, same gold, same pride — why not the same award?”
Jiwanjot Singh Teja said, “In the year 2021, all Olympic medal winners and Paralympic gold medal winners were honoured with the Khel Ratna, and it is truly inspiring to see the government continue to recognize the immense contributions of our athletes. However, I understand that the policy may have now changed. It brings me to request your kind attention towards Mr. Harvinder Singh’s exceptional achievements. Additionally, he is the only archer to have won gold at the 2018 Para Asian Games and a bronze at the 2022 edition.”
