New Delhi: Veteran Indian shooter Abhinav Bindra was on Saturday awarded the prestigious Olympic Order by the International Olympic Council (IOC) at the 142nd IOC Session in Paris. The Olympic Order, established in 1975, is the highest honour given by the IOC, which is awarded for significant contribution to the Olympic Movement.

Speaking after receiving the Olympic Order, Bindra said: "When I was a kid, it was the Olympic rings that gave meaning to my life and it was a privilege to be able to pursue my Olympic dream for over two decades. After my athletic career, it has been a great passion of mine to try and give back to the Olympic Movement. This award fuels that passion even more and I hope I will continue to work even harder and contribute to the Olympic Movement throughout my life."

Bindra won the gold medal in 2008

Five-time Olympian Abhinav Bindra won the gold medal in the 10m air rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He became the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal in an individual event. He also holds the distinction of being the first Indian to win a World Championship gold in air rifle shooting.

Has won more than 150 individual medals

In his two-decade-long career, Bindra has won over 150 individual medals and earned recognition as one of India's greatest sporting legends. His exceptional service to the sport was further recognised when he was awarded the Blue Cross in 2018, the highest honour of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF).