Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra for getting honoured with the Olympic Order by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). PM Modi took to his social media to send his wishes to the 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medallist.
“It makes every Indian proud that Abhinav Bindra has been awarded the Olympic Order. Congratulations to him. Be it as an athlete or a mentor to upcoming sportspersons, he has made noteworthy contributions to sports and the Olympic Movement,” Modi wrote on his X account, formerly known as Twitter.
It makes every Indian proud that @Abhinav_Bindra has been awarded the Olympic Order. Congratulations to him. Be it as an athlete or a mentor to upcoming sportspersons, he has made noteworthy contributions to sports and the Olympic Movement.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2024
The award which was presented to Bindra for his outstanding services to the Olympic Movement, will be officially handed over to him during the 142nd IOC Session in Paris on August 10, a day before the closing of the Paris Olympics.
“It is with great pleasure that I inform you that the IOC Executive Board has decided to award you with the Olympic Order for your outstanding services to the Olympic Movement,” stated a letter addressed to Bindra which was dated July 20.
The Olympic Order is the highest award of the IOC, given for distinguished contributions to the Olympic Movement. It is awarded to recognize an individual who has illustrated the Olympic ideal through his/her action, has achieved remarkable merit in the sporting world, or has rendered outstanding services to the Olympic cause, either through his own personal achievement or his contribution to the development of sport. Nominations are proposed by the Olympic Orders Council and decided upon by the Executive Board.
Bindra became India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist when he won the men’s 10m air rifle event at 2008 Beijing Games.
He was a member of the Athlete Committee of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) from 2010 to 2020, serving as its Chair from 2014. He has been a member of the IOC Athlete Commission since 2018.