The Veteran table tennis player, two time Commonwealth Games champion and khel ratna awardee Sharath Kamal will be India’s flag bearer at the upcoming Paris Olympic Games. He was also India’s flag bearer at the closing ceremony of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Sharath Kamal symbolises “the unity and spirit of our contingent as they compete on the Olympic stage”, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) said in a statement while making the announcement.
Six-time World Champion, bronze medallist at the 2012 London Olympics and the legendary boxer Mary Kom is appointed as the chef de mission of the country’s contingent. “Mary Kom’s unparalleled dedication to sports and inspiring journey makes her a natural choice to guide and mentor our athletes at the Olympics,” IOA said. She’ll be assisted by luger Shiva Keshavan.
In 2020, IOC had changed its rules to have one female as well as one male athlete of each NOC to bear the flag jointly. Mary Kom and former hockey skipper Manpreet Singh were India’s flag bearers at the 2020 Tokyo Games and hockey player Harmanpreet Singh and boxer Lovlina Borgohain were the flag bearers at the Hangzhou Asian Games, last year.
Though, the IOA has not yet announced any female flag bearer but according to the close sources, the sports body will not “compromise” on gender equality and will select a woman athlete this year too. “There is no change in policy. We will wait for official confirmation of qualifications for women athletes before announcing the name. There won’t be any compromise on that.” stated one IOA source.
Neeraj Chopra, has been named Chief Medical Officer will be responsible for the health and well-being of Indian athletes at the Games.
India have already secured 19 quotas in shooting for the Paris Olympics and this year, India might see largest-ever shooting contingent in action, eclipsing the 15 from Tokyo.
“We are delighted to have such a distinguished and capable team of officials leading our contingent for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” IOA president PT Usha said about the appointments. “Their expertise, dedication and passion for sports will undoubtedly inspire our athletes to achieve their best and make the nation proud.”
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