New Delhi: India’s flagbearers, PV Sindhu and Achanta Sharath Kamal, shared their excitement at being chosen to lead the Indian team during the Parade of Nations at the Paris Olympics 2024 opening ceremony. Sindhu, aiming for her third Olympic medal, expressed her honor and pride in leading the contingent. Meanwhile, the veteran paddler revealed that he had been visualizing this moment for the past three to four months, and he was thrilled to finally have this significant opportunity.
Until the Tokyo Olympics, only one athlete could serve as the flagbearer for each team. However, a rule change now allows both a male and a female representative. The Paris Games’ opening ceremony will break tradition by moving from a stadium to the Seine River. For the first time, the Parade of Nations will be held outdoors, with boats transporting athletes along the scenic Seine.
“I am super proud to be here at Olympic Village. This will be my third Olympics, and really excited for the competition to begin. At the same time, I will be the flag bearer for the Indian contingent and I am super proud… I will be holding the bigger flag at the opening ceremony and I hope, with the same excitement, I do well in the competition and get a medal back to India,” Sindhu told JioCinema.
Achantha Sharath Kamal, making his fifth appearance in table tennis at the Olympics, will join PV Sindhu in leading the Indian contingent. The two-time Commonwealth Games singles gold medalist expressed his excitement about the chance to represent India alongside Sindhu at the Paris Games.
“It’s been a moment that I’ve been dreaming and visualising about, for the last 3-4 months. I’m pretty excited that I’m going to live that moment and especially that I’m going to do that with PV Sindhu. So, it’s a fantastic moment, I would say,” he said.
And, we’re all set for the Opening Ceremony! Tune in for a unique Ceremony, a first for the Summer Olympics where the ceremony will be held outside a stadium! The parade of athletes will be held on river Seine!
Let’s cheer loud for our athletes! Chalo #JeetKiAur#Cheer4Bharat pic.twitter.com/KQjzd4axvF— Team India (@WeAreTeamIndia) July 26, 2024
“Yes, I’m very happy to be the flag bearer with our fellow Indian, Sharath Kamal. It’s a proud moment for both of us and of course, it’s a one-time opportunity for anyone to be a flag bearer and represent our country, and it’s at the Olympics, standing there, right in the front, holding an Indian flag, it’s a very proud moment for both of us and of course he’s like a super senior to me. I’ve known him for a very, very long time, so it’s always nice to be holding a flag with fellow Indians,” Sindhu said.
A total of 78 Indian athletes and officials will participate in the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony, starting at 11 pm IST. Indian Olympic Association President Dr. PT Usha and Chef-de-Mission Gagan Narang have prioritized athletes’ needs in the contingent’s composition. All available athletes will be part of the Parade, while those with Saturday competitions have been given the option to prioritize their preparation over attending the ceremony.
