Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist, was awarded the prestigious Olympic Order by the IOC for his outstanding contributions to sport and continues to impact the field through his foundation’s initiatives in athlete development, education and environmental stewardship.
New Delhi: Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist, was awarded the prestigious Olympic Order by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the 142nd IOC Session in Paris. This prestigious award, the highest honour given by the IOC, recognises individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the Olympic Movement.
“This recognition is not only a personal milestone but also a testament to the spirit of perseverance and dedication that sport instills in all of us. I am deeply honoured by the IOC’s recognition and dedicate this award to all athletes and sports enthusiasts who strive to uphold the Olympic ideals,” said Bindra.
Abhinav Bindra’s journey to receiving the prestigious Olympic Order is a testament to his exceptional achievements and unwavering commitment to the sport. India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist, Bindra caught the world’s attention with his historic win in the men’s 10m air rifle shooting at the 2008 Beijing Games. He also distinguished himself by becoming the first Indian to win a World Championship gold medal in air rifle shooting. Over the course of his illustrious two-decade career, Bindra amassed over 150 individual medals, cementing his reputation as one of India’s greatest sporting icons. His remarkable contributions were further recognised in 2018 when he received the Blue Cross, the highest award of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF).
In addition to his sporting prowess, Bindra has also made significant strides in sports administration. He served as Chairman of the ISSF Athletes’ Committee for eight years and is currently a member of the IOC’s Athletes’ Commission and Education Commission. In these influential roles, Bindra continues to shape global sports policy and advocate for athletes around the world, reflecting his commitment 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 dedicated to empowering grassroots athletes in India through advanced sports science technology. ABFT’s initiatives focus on high performance training, education and social empowerment, bringing global best practices to the Indian sporting scene and ensuring a meaningful impact on the country’s future athletes.
A prominent initiative led by Bindra is the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP), developed in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage (OFCH) and the state governments in Odisha and Assam. Launched in Odisha in 2022 and Assam in 2023, OVEP aims to instill the core Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect in over 11,000 schools and reach over 1 million schoolchildren. By promoting a culture of sports and holistic development, OVEP aims to position India as a leader in values-based education and has set an ambitious target of reaching 13 million schoolchildren by 2025.
Bindra’s commitment to sustainability is also evident in the Odisha Ridley Forest Project, which aims to protect the natural habitat of the endangered Olive Ridley turtles along the coast of Odisha. Supported by ABFT and implemented in collaboration with local government agencies, this initiative focuses on protecting the turtles while promoting environmental education and awareness in local communities. Through these multifaceted efforts, Bindra and his foundation are making significant progress in promoting sports, education and environmental conservation.
