Three athletes from Uttarakhand are gearing up to showcase their talents on the world stage at the Paris 2024 Olympics, scheduled from 26 July to 11 August. Suraj Panwar, Paramjeet Bisht, and Lakshya Sen have qualified to represent India in their respective events, bringing pride to their home state.
Suraj Panwar, a resident of Tehri, has qualified for the mixed marathon walking event. Known for his impressive track record, Suraj clinched the gold medal in the 5,000-meter race at the 2018 Youth Olympics. He is the first Indian athlete to win a medal in the track and field event at the Youth Olympics. Suraj has also represented India in various international competitions, including the Asian Athletic Championship and the Senior World Athletics Championship. His coach, Anoop Bisht, praised Suraj’s dedication and hard work, expressing confidence in his performance in Paris.
Paramjeet Bisht, hailing from Khalla village in Chamoli’s Mandal Valley, will compete in the 20 km walking event. A former student of Government Inter College Bairagana, Paramjeet currently serves in the Indian Navy under the sports quota. He secured his place in the Paris Olympics by finishing ninth in the Asian Walk Race Championship held in Japan. Paramjeet has been a prominent figure in the walk race since 2017, guided by coach Gopal Bisht. He holds records in the Under-17 and Under-19 categories of the School Games Federation of India and won a gold medal in Khelo India.
Lakshya Sen, a badminton sensation from Almora, has also qualified for the Paris Olympics by reaching the top 16 in international rankings. Lakshya, who started playing badminton at six, comes from a family of badminton players. His father, DK Sen, is an international badminton coach and his personal coach, while his grandfather CL Sen, and elder brother Chirag Sen have also excelled in the sport. Lakshya’s achievements include a gold medal in the singles category at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham and multiple medals in national and international competitions. He was honored with the Arjuna Award in 2022.
The Uttarakhand Athletics Association Secretary, KGS Kalsi, congratulated the selected athletes, acknowledging their hard work and dedication. As the athletes continue their rigorous preparations, the entire state and country eagerly await their performances, hoping for a medal haul at the Paris Olympics.
