Indian Contingent Heads to Paris for Paralympics with High Hopes

The first batch of the Indian contingent, comprising 16 para athletes, including javelin thrower Sumit Antil, has left for the Paris Paralympics. They aim to acclimatize before the Games Village entry on August 25. The contingent is targeting five gold medals and a dozen medals overall at the Games.

The first group of the Indian contingent, featuring star javelin thrower Sumit Antil among 16 para athletes, has departed for the Paris Paralympics. Their goal is to familiarize themselves with the conditions ahead of entering the Games Village on August 25.

These athletes will stay at hotels in Paris for a few days and train at top-notch facilities, including the Nelson Mandela Sports Complex, conveniently located 5km from Stade de France. The para athletics events are scheduled to take place from August 30 to September 8 at Stade de France.

''Our target is at least five gold and 12 medals overall,' remarked para-athletics head coach Satyanarayana. Buoyed by recent success at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Japan, he believes this could be India's best Paralympic performance yet. Antil, along with others like Deeksha Jeevanji and Sachin Khilari, are key medal prospects.

(With inputs from agencies.)