Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic gold medallist, was awarded the prestigious Olympic Order by the IOC for his exceptional contribution to sports and continues to impact the field through his foundation's initiatives in athlete development, education and environmental conservation.

New Delhi: India's first individual Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra was awarded the prestigious Olympic Order by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the 142nd IOC Session in Paris. This prestigious award, the highest honor bestowed by the IOC, honors individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the Olympic movement.

“This recognition is not only a personal milestone but a testament to the spirit of perseverance and dedication that sport instills in all of us. I am very proud to be recognized by the IOC and dedicate it to all the athletes and sports lovers who strive to uphold the Olympic ideals,” said Bindra.

Abhinav Bindra's journey to receiving the prestigious Olympic Order is a testament to his extraordinary achievements and unwavering commitment to the sport. As India's first individual Olympic gold medallist, Bindra captured the world's attention with his historic victory in the men's 10m air rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Games. He also distinguished himself as the first Indian to win a World Championship gold medal in air rifle shooting. In his illustrious career spanning two decades, Bindra amassed over 150 individual medals and cemented his legacy as one of India's greatest sporting icons. His remarkable contribution was recognized in 2018 when he received the Blue Cross, the highest honor from the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF).

Beyond his athletic prowess, Bindra has made significant strides in sports administration. He chaired the ISSF Athletes Committee for eight years and currently serves on the IOC Athletes Commission and Education Commission. Through these influential roles, Bindra is shaping global sports policies and advocating for athletes around the world, reflecting his dedication to advancing the Olympic movement and supporting the next generation of sports leaders.

After retiring from competitive shooting, Abhinav Bindra founded the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT), a non-profit organization committed to nurturing grassroots athletes in India through advanced sports science technology. ABFT's initiatives focus on high-performance training, education and social upliftment, bringing global best practices to the Indian sports scene and ensuring a meaningful impact on the country's future athletes.

An outstanding initiative led by Bindra is the Olympic Value Education Program (OVEP), developed in partnership with the International Olympic Committee's Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage (OFCH) and the state governments of Odisha and Assam. Launched in Odisha in 2022 and Assam in 2023, OVEP is designed to deliver the core Olympic values ​​of excellence, friendship and respect to more than 11,000 schools, reaching over 1 million school children. By fostering a culture of sports and holistic development, OVEP aims to position India as a leader in value-based education, with an ambitious target of impacting 13 million school children by 2025.

Bindra's dedication to sustainability is also reflected in the Odisha Ridley Forest Project, which protects the natural habitat of the endangered olive ridley turtles along the Odisha coast. Supported by ABFT and in collaboration with local government agencies, the initiative focuses on environmental education and turtle conservation while raising awareness among local communities. Through these diverse endeavours, Bindra and his foundation are making significant strides in the advancement of sports, education and environmental protection.