Bilquis Mir, the first Indian Woman Jury member at the Paris Olympics

Bilquis Mir of Jammu Kashmir has become the first Indian to be appointed a jury member at the 33rd Summer Olympics to be held in Paris, France, from 26 July -11 August 2024.  She is also the first woman from India to be made a jury member in the Olympics games. Bilquis Mir, who is a qualified jury member, was a jury member at the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, last year.

According to the Indian Olympic Association, former canoeist Bilquis Mir was nominated by the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association to officiate at the Paris Olympics. 

Expressing her joy after being selected as a jury member for the Summer Olympics, Bilquis said that it was a dream come true for her. She said that the Olympics is regarded as the highest point in the world of sports. Participation in the Olympics is an ultimate goal not only for athletes but also for sports promoters like herself.

Bilquis Mir to be a Jury member at three International events 

• Apart from performing jury duty at the Paris Olympics, Bilquis Mir will also be a part of the jury at two other international events.
• She will serve as a jury member for the Olympic qualifying rounds of Kayaking & Canoeing (Asia)  to be held in Tokyo (Japan ) from April 18 to 20,2024. 
• She will also be a jury member at the 2024 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships to be held  in Samarkand, Uzbekistan from August 23 to 25, 2024.

Career of Bilquis Mir 

Bilquis Mir started her career as a canoeist on Dal lake, Srinagar in 1998. She competed at national events for 12 years, representing Jammu and Kashmir. She also represented India in the world championships.

Later, she became the coach of the women’s team and served in the position for over 10 years.

In 2008. The national women’s team coached by will participate in the Paris Olympics.

Kayaking and Canoeing 

Both Kayaking and Canoeing are water sports. Canoeing/Kayaking was introduced as a demonstration sport in the 1924 Paris Olympics. 

In the 1936 Berlin Olympics, canoeing/kayaking became a full medal game, but it was only for males.

In the 1948 London Olympics, women athletes were allowed to compete in both canoeing and kayaking events. 

Both Kayaking and Canoeing involve paddling a small boat through the water. The major differences between the two sports are as follows.

Canoe –  An open vessel(boat) is used  and the person known as paddler kneels and uses a single-bladed paddle to propel the boat forward.

Kayak – An enclosed vessel (boat) is used, and the paddler sits inside the kayak with legs extended and uses a double-bladed paddle.