Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist, was honored with the prestigious Olympic Order by the IOC for his exceptional contributions to sports and continues to impact the field through his foundation’s initiatives in athlete development, education, and environmental conservation.
New Delhi: Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist, was honored with the prestigious Olympic Order by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the 142nd IOC Session in Paris. This esteemed accolade, the highest honor awarded by the IOC, celebrates individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the Olympic Movement.
“This recognition is not just a personal milestone but a testament to the spirit of perseverance and dedication that sports instill in us all. I am deeply honored to be recognized by the IOC, and I dedicate this to all the athletes and sports enthusiasts who strive to uphold the Olympic ideals,” Bindra stated.
Abhinav Bindra’s journey to receiving the prestigious Olympic Order is a testament to his extraordinary achievements and unwavering commitment to sports. As India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist, Bindra captured the world’s attention at the 2008 Beijing Games with his historic victory in the Men’s 10m Air Rifle event. He also distinguished himself as the first Indian to claim a World Championship Gold in Air Rifle Shooting. Over his illustrious two-decade career, Bindra amassed over 150 individual medals, cementing his legacy as one of India’s greatest sports icons. His remarkable contributions were further 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 governance. He chaired the ISSF Athletes Committee for eight years and currently serves on the IOC Athlete Commission and Education Commission. Through these influential roles, Bindra continues to shape global sports policies and advocate for athletes worldwide, reflecting his dedication to advancing the Olympic Movement and supporting the next generation of sports leaders.
After retiring from competitive shooting, Abhinav Bindra established the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT), a nonprofit organization committed to nurturing grassroots athletes in India through advanced sports science technology. ABFT’s initiatives emphasize high-performance training, education, and social upliftment, bringing global best practices to the Indian sports scene and ensuring a meaningful impact on the nation’s future athletes.
A standout initiative led by Bindra is the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP), developed in partnership with the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage (OFCH) and state governments in Odisha and Assam. Launched in Odisha in 2022 and in Assam in 2023, OVEP is designed to impart the core Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect to over 11,000 schools, reaching more than 1 million schoolchildren. By fostering a culture of sports and holistic development, OVEP aims to position India as a leader in values-based education, with an ambitious goal of impacting 13 million schoolchildren by 2025.
Bindra’s dedication to sustainability is also evident in the Odisha Ridley Forest Project, which seeks to protect the natural habitat of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles along the Odisha coastline. Supported by ABFT and in collaboration with local government agencies, this initiative focuses on turtle conservation while promoting environmental education and awareness within local communities. Through these diverse efforts, Bindra and his foundation are making significant strides in advancing sports, education, and environmental preservation.