Paralympics Games 2024: Google Doodle honours Powerlifting event. Check more details

Google is celebrating the second annual Paris Powerlifting Day during the Paralympic Games 2024 with a vibrant and dynamic doodle on its homepage on September 6. The Doodle showcases athletes from various backgrounds and genders engaged in different powerlifting disciplines, highlighting the sport's strength, determination, and inclusivity.

Powerlifting, a sport that tests an individual's maximum strength in three lifts – squat, bench press, and deadlift – has been gaining popularity in Paris and around the world. The city's second annual powerlifting day aims to raise awareness about the sport, encourage participation, and celebrate the achievements of powerlifters.

This Google Doodle celebrates Journée du Pain, or Bread Day, in France.

Here's a breakdown of the image:

Central figure: The main focus is a blue, bird-like character depicted as a baker wearing a cap and apron.

Bread: The character struggles to hold a long, freshly baked baguette, showcasing the weight and abundance of bread.

Bakery setting: The background suggests a bakery with various loaves of bread, including baguettes, round loaves, and smaller bread rolls.

Wreaths: Laurel wreaths frame the image, symbolising victory or achievement, perhaps a nod to the importance and quality of French bread.

History and Development of Para Powerlifting

Para powerlifting, originally referred to as para lifting, debuted at the 1964 Tokyo Paralympic Games. However, it wasn't until 1984 that it was officially recognised as a Paralympic sport. 

Women's participation in the sport was later introduced during the 2000 Sydney Paralympics. The sport includes competitors with various physical impairments, such as cerebral palsy, orthopaedic conditions, neurological disabilities, paraplegia, tetraplegia, and progressive neurological conditions. Men compete in weight classes starting from 49 kg up to over 107 kg, while women compete in categories starting from 41 kg up to over 86 kg.

India’s Performance and Day 9 Schedule at the Paris 2024 Paralympics

India has already secured 25 medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and aims to increase its tally on Day 9, scheduled for September 6. On this day, Indian athletes will compete in medal events for javelin throw, high jump, shot put, and powerlifting.

The day’s first medal opportunity will come in the Men’s Javelin Throw F54 final, where Dipesh Kumar will represent India. Praveen Kumar will follow by competing in the Men’s High Jump T64 final.

Day 9 Full Schedule (India): 5 September

Here’s the complete schedule for Indian athletes on 5 September, with medal events highlighted:

1:30 PM: Para-canoeing — Yash Kumar — Men’s Kayak Single 200m KL1 Heats

1:38 PM: Para-athletics — Simran Sharma — Women’s 200m T12 Round 1

1:50 PM: Para-canoeing — Prachi Yadav — Women’s Va’a Single 200m VL2 Heats

2:07 PM: Para-athletics — Dipesh Kumar — Men’s Javelin Throw F54 Final

2:50 PM: Para-athletics — Dilip Gavit — Men’s 400m T47 Round 1

2:55 PM: Para-canoeing — Pooja Ojha — Women’s Kayak Single 200m KL1 Heats

3:21 PM: Para-athletics — Praveen Kumar — Men’s High Jump T64 Final

8:30 PM: Para-powerlifting — Kasthuri Rajamani — Women’s 67kg Final

10:30 PM: Para-athletics — Bhavanaben Ajabaji Chaudhary — Women’s Javelin Throw F46 Final

10:34 PM: Para-athletics — Soman Rana, Hokato Hotozhe Sema — Men’s Shot Put F57 Final

11:12 PM: Para-athletics — Simran Sharma — Women’s 200m T12 Semifinal (if qualified)