At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, a new star emerged for India. The latest sports news centered on a historic double medal win in track and field.
Preethi Pal secured two bronze medals in sprint events. She raced in the women’s 100m and 200m T35 categories. Her performance broke a significant barrier for her nation.
No Indian track athlete had ever won two medals at a single Paralympics before. This young competitor from a farming village in Muzaffarnagar changed that.
Born with cerebral palsy, she competes in the T35 classification. This category is for athletes with coordination impairments that affect movement.
Her personal best time of 14.21 seconds in the 100m earned a place on the podium. This para athletics achievement signals a major shift. It proves dedication can overcome immense physical challenges.
The story is not just about medals. It’s about a woman shattering limits and inspiring a nation.
The Rise of a Paralympic Trailblazer
Medical interventions started just six days after her birth, setting the stage for a childhood defined by resilience. Doctors plastered her lower body to address severe deformities caused by cerebral palsy.
As a young child, she wore metal calipers on her legs for eight years. These braces supported her feet, which were crooked and unable to lie flat. Her early life involved painful therapy sessions.
Early Life and Overcoming Adversity
Growing up in her village presented a dual challenge. The physical struggle was constant. So was the social stigma from other people.
Some villagers told her family she would never marry. They questioned her future because of her disability. Her father, a dairy farmer, faced this prejudice directly.
He moved his entire family to the city of Meerut for better schools. He prioritized education for all his children, including the young girl. This decision showed his deep support.
Inspiration from Challenges and Community Support
At age 18, her life changed. She discovered para athletics videos on social media. This news opened a new world of possibility for her.
Her father initially resisted this athletic path. He believed only academics led to good jobs. His perspective shifted after she won her first state medal.
He became her strongest supporter. This family backing turned inspiration into action. Years of physical challenge had forged a powerful foundation.
| Challenge | Response | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Severe leg deformities at birth | Medical plastering days after birth; calipers for 8 years | Developed exceptional lower-body strength and resilience |
| Social stigma in her village | Family relocation for education; father’s unwavering support | Fostered a determined mindset against adversity |
| Limited view of future potential | Discovery of para athletics at age 18 | Ignited a new passion and career path |
Preethi Pal: Overcoming Challenges and Setting Records
Her breakthrough came after a devastating near-miss that would have broken many athletes. At the 2022 Asian Para Games, she finished fourth in both sprint events. Missing the podium by microseconds fueled her determination instead of ending her dreams.
Historic Achievements at Paris 2024
The Paris Paralympics brought redemption. Competing in the T35 classification, she secured bronze medals in both the 100m and 200m track events. These podium finishes marked India’s first double medal performance in Paralympic track history.
Training, Coaching, and Breakthrough Moments
Her training regimen demanded extreme discipline. She would wake at 5 a.m. to prepare food for her family. Then bicycle five kilometers to the stadium before workouts began.
Coach Gajender Singh imposed one rule: never say “I can’t do this.” His wife, para runner Simran Sharma, became her daily inspiration. From January 2024, her progress accelerated dramatically.
At the World Para Athletics Championships in Japan, she won two medals. Her natural adaptation—walking on the front of her feet due to cerebral palsy—became her track advantage.
The Impact of Federal Support and Sponsorships
Financial support proved crucial. The Indian government awards substantial prize money for Paralympic medals. Olympic Gold Quest provided a monthly stipend that allowed full-time training.
This backing transformed her from a determined athlete into a world-class competitor. The investment in para sports created champions.
Celebrating Resilience and Transformative Impact
A community that once questioned her future now gathered around a large screen to cheer her on. The emotional response revealed how athletic achievement can reshape social attitudes toward disability.
Community Recognition and Social Change
After the first medal news reached Muzaffarnagar, villagers set up chairs and a television on the road. People chanted “Preeti run” during her second race. The celebration overwhelmed her father’s daily routine.
Neighbors who had doubted her prospects now expressed shock at her Paralympic success. The same people who questioned her future due to disability arrived with garlands. This girl had achieved what no one in their community had accomplished.
| Before Success | After Success | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Questioned marriage prospects due to disability | Arrived with congratulations and garlands | Proved athletic achievement can overcome social stigma |
| Limited view of potential for people with disabilities | Celebrated as national hero across social media | Created new representation for para athletes |
| No community recognition for sports achievements | Planned village parade and urban felicitations | Inspired future generations in para athletics |
Empowering Future Generations in Para Athletics
Pal’s message to others with disabilities emphasizes self-belief and passion. She states that without personal trust in one’s abilities, nothing can be accomplished.
Her journey from being seen as someone who “can’t even walk properly” to a national symbol shows what determined athletes can achieve. The sports news coverage has created new role models for young people with disabilities.
Champion’s Road Ahead – Reflections and Future Endeavors
Beyond the podium celebrations, concrete plans are taking shape for this determined athlete. Her prize money will renovate the family home and support her parents. Preethi Pal aims for a government police position, seeking lifetime security after her sports career.
The Delhi World Championships mark her next competitive event. But her true focus is Los Angeles 2028. She wants to change her medal color from bronze to gold. This goal drives her daily training.
She credits mentor Fatima Khatoon for introducing her to para athletics. Coach Gajender Singh refined her technique, while Simran Sharma’s example motivated her. “Without a coach, there is no athlete,” she emphasizes. Her journey from leg challenges to Paralympic medals inspires future para athletes worldwide.
