“Not less than 25 medals” - PCI chief coach Satyanarayana predicts India’s medal tally at Paris Paralympics 2024
The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) chief coach Satayanarayan stated that Indian para-athletes will win at least 25 medals at the upcoming Paris Paralympics 2024, starting on August 28.
With the Paris Olympics 2024 coming to an end on Sunday, August 11, the action will now shift to the Paris Paralympics 2024, set to conclude on September 8. The chief coach Satyanarayana added that they are fielding players for 11 sports for the first time in the Game's history.
"Paris Paralympics will start from August 28. We are going to have a very strong contingent of 84 members. For the first time in history, we are sending players for 11 sports. Definitely, India will win more medals than the last Paralympics,” Satyanarayana told ANI.
“This time, not less than 25 medals. Last time, we had just won five gold medals. We want to change the colour of medal this time and increase the tally. Most athletes are doing fine performance-wise,” he added.
India set to field 69 athletes at Paris Paralympics 2024
Indian athletes have competed in every edition of the Summer Paralympics since 1984, though they made their debut at the Games in 1968. Indian para-athletes will participate in 11 different sports at the Paralympics in Paris.
A total of 69 athletes, including 42 men and 27 women, will represent India at the Paralympics. 21 athletes, including 17 men and four women, will compete in Athletics. Badminton will have 12 athletes while shooting will have 11 players in the campaign.
Indian para-athletes secured 19 medals at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021, including five gold, eight silver, and six bronze medals. Two shooters, as many shuttlers, and one javelin thrower clinched gold medals for India. India fielded 54 athletes in the previous Paralympics.
PCI chief coach Satyanarayana further stated that he is currently in Paris to assist athletes in getting used to the weather and conditions. He also requested that sports lovers across the nation support the para-athletes by watching them live at the Paralympics
"I urge everyone to support us, because that earns us a medal more than our practice," he concluded.