India Sends Record 179 Members to Paris Paralympics

India is set to send its largest-ever contingent to the Paris 2024 Paralympics, comprising 84 athletes and 95 officials, bringing the total to 179 members. The support staff includes 77 team officials, nine medical officials, and nine contingent officials, primarily tasked with addressing the special needs of para-athletes. This increase in personnel reflects the unique requirements of para sports, where athletes often need more support than able-bodied competitors. The government will cover most expenses for the contingent, except for the Chef de Mission and one team manager for para-badminton. Athletes will receive a daily allowance of USD 50 and have access to personal coaches and escorts during the event. Notable competitors include gold medalists Sumit Antil and Avani Lekhara, who are looking to defend their titles from the Tokyo Paralympics.