The International Olympic Committee has appointed shooter Abhinav Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist, as one of IOC’s nine mental health ambassadors.
Abhinav Bindra, who won a gold medal in the men’s 10m air rifle shooting event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has been a long-time advocate for athlete mental health.
The Indian shooting ace had been part of the IOC Mental Health Working Group since its inception a few years back.
The IOC highlighted that mental health is as important as physical health and no athlete should face challenges alone.
Mental health ambassadors like Bindra are tasked with breaking stigma, encouraging open conversation about mental health and promoting well-being within sport and beyond.
Bindra has consistently emphasised the need for comprehensive mental health support systems for athletes.
Drawing on his own experiences, he has advocated for proactive measures, education and accessible resources to ensure athletes can thrive both on and off the field.
The IOC mental health ambassadors will engage athletes through social media, one-on-one conversations, and IOC educational programs. Their role is to inspire, guide, and provide trusted advice to athletes while helping integrate mental health into high-performance sporting environments.
Other ambassadors include British pole vaulter Holly Bradshaw, Hong Kong China’s Camille Cheng and Brazil’s Bruno Fratus, both swimmers, American figure skater Gracie Gold.
Ivorian track and field star Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith, Papua New Guinea’s swimming legend Ryan Pini, South African sprinter Akani Simbine and Afghan cyclist Masomah Ali Zada.
Each ambassador brings unique perspectives and experience to the role, ranging from academic expertise to resilience advocacy.
As per the IOC statement, Bindra brings ‘his deep experience to the mission of making sport a healthier space for all’.
