Current Affairs - Sports

Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist, is being honoured with the prestigious Olympic Order by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This award, recognizing distinguished contributions to the Olympic Movement, will be presented to Bindra at the 142nd IOC Session in Paris on August 10, 2024. Bindra's achievement in winning the men’s 10-meter air rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and his ongoing contributions as a member of the IOC Athlete Commission underscore his significant impact on sports.

PR Sreejesh is a prominent figure in hockey. He has had an illustrious career as the Indian hockey goalkeeper, contributing significantly to the team's success, including a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. Sreejesh has been recognized with numerous accolades such as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and the Padma Shri, and his leadership has been instrumental in the resurgence of Indian hockey.

Atiqa Mir, a nine-year-old racer from Srinagar, made history by becoming the first female racer to win a race in the Rotax Challenge International Trophy. Competing in the Micro Max category for the Dan Holland Racing Team at the prestigious Le Mans Kart International Circuit, Atiqa showcased exceptional racing skills. Her performance included consistently fast lap times and securing first place in the second race of the heats, marking a significant achievement in the field of kart racing.

Leander Paes and Vijay Amritraj have made history by becoming the first Asian men to be inducted into the prestigious International Tennis Hall of Fame. This induction not only honours their remarkable individual careers and contributions to tennis but also signifies a significant milestone for the sport in the Asian continent. The ceremony in Newport, USA, highlighted their achievements, placing them among the greatest figures in tennis history.

Manolo Marquez was appointed as the new head coach of the Indian men’s football team by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on July 20. Marquez, a Spaniard with extensive coaching experience in India and abroad, has previously transformed Hyderabad FC into ISL champions and led FC Goa to significant achievements. His track record of developing young Indian players and his success in the Indian Super League (ISL) make him an ideal choice for the national team head coach position.