In a historic achievement for Indian athletics, 23-year-old sprinter Preethi Pal has won India’s first-ever track and field medal at the Paris Paralympics 2024. Preethi clinched the bronze medal in the women’s 100m T35 event, marking a significant milestone in her career and for Indian para-sports.
Preethi Pal’s Road to Glory at Paralympics
Preethi Pal’s journey to Paralympic glory began six years ago when she was just 17. Growing up in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, Preethi was born into a farming family and faced significant physical challenges from birth.
Despite these obstacles, she found inspiration in an unexpected place—social media. Watching videos of the Paralympic Games, she was captivated by the stories of athletes overcoming immense challenges to achieve greatness. These videos ignited a spark within her, and she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a sprinter.
Training and Dedication
Determined to succeed, Preethi began rigorous training, focusing on improving her speed and coordination. The T35 classification, in which she competes, includes athletes with coordination impairments such as hypertonia, ataxia, and athetosis, often resulting from cerebral palsy. Despite these challenges, Preethi’s dedication and hard work paid off as she steadily improved her performance.
The Historic Race
On August 30, 2024, Preethi Pal lined up at the Stade de France for the women’s 100m T35 final. Running in Lane 7, she got off to a quick start, putting herself in contention for a podium finish. At the halfway mark, she was in fourth place, but her determination and grit shone through in the final 30 meters of the race. Preethi surged ahead, overtaking Iraq’s Fatimah Suwaed to secure the bronze medal with a personal best time of 14.21 seconds.
China’s Zhou Xia won the gold medal with a season-best time of 13.58 seconds, while her compatriot Guo Qianqian took the silver with a time of 13.74 seconds. Preethi’s bronze medal not only marked India’s first track and field medal at the Paris Paralympics but also highlighted her incredible journey from a small village in Uttar Pradesh to the global stage.
🇮🇳🥉 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘇𝗲! Congratulations to Preethi Pal on winning India's third medal at the Paris Paralympics 2024.
💥 She becomes the first Indian para athlete to win a medal in track event with a personal best time of 14.21.
👉 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 @sportwalkmedia 𝗳𝗼𝗿… pic.twitter.com/BirCWmgWQU
— Sportwalk Media (@sportwalkmedia) August 30, 2024
In her post-race interview, Preethi expressed her gratitude to her family, coaches, and supporters. “This medal is not just for me; it’s for everyone who believed in me and supported me throughout my journey. I hope my story inspires others to chase their dreams, no matter how difficult the path may seem,” she said.
With her bronze medal in the 100m T35 event, Preethi Pal has set a new benchmark for Indian para-athletics. Her journey is far from over, as she continues to train and compete with the goal of achieving even greater heights. Preethi’s success at the Paris Paralympics is just the beginning, and she remains determined to bring more glory to India in future competitions.
