India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist, Abhinav Bindra, was honoured with the prestigious Olympic Order by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the 142nd IOC Session in Paris on Saturday. This accolade is the highest honour given by the IOC, awarded to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to advancing the Olympic Movement.
Bindra, who won gold in the men’s 10m air rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, expressed his gratitude and dedication in his acceptance speech. “This recognition is not just a personal milestone but a testament to the spirit of perseverance and dedication that sports instil in us all. I am deeply honoured to be recognized by the IOC, and I dedicate this to all the athletes and sports enthusiasts who strive to uphold the Olympic ideals,” he said.
Throughout his illustrious career spanning over two decades, Bindra not only achieved significant milestones on the field but also made substantial contributions off it. He is the first Indian to win an individual Olympic gold medal and also holds the distinction of being the first Indian to win a World Championship Gold in Air Rifle Shooting. Over his career, he won more than 150 individual medals and was awarded the Blue Cross in 2018, the highest honour by the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF).
Post-retirement, Bindra continued his dedication to the sport through various roles. He chaired the ISSF Athletes Committee for eight years and currently serves as a member of the IOC Athlete Commission and Education Commission. He also founded the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT), a nonprofit organization that supports grassroots athletes in India using advanced sports science technology.
One of the foundation’s key initiatives is the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP), which promotes Olympic values such as excellence, friendship, and respect in schools. Launched in Odisha in 2022 and Assam in 2023, OVEP aims to reach over 11,000 schools and impact more than 1 million schoolchildren, with a goal to expand to 13 million by 2025. This program, implemented in partnership with the IOC’s Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage and state governments, is positioning India as a leader in values-based education.
Bindra’s recent recognition underscores his lasting legacy in sports and his ongoing efforts to promote the values of Olympism worldwide.