The female flagbearer for India this month is PV Sindhu, but Achanta Sharath Kamal, who will compete in his record-tying sixth Olympics, was chosen as the country’s flagbearer in March of this year.
Passion for the “one time opportunity” to be flagbearers at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on Friday is shared by senior Indian table tennis player Achanta Sharath Kamal and ace shuttler and two-time medallist PV Sindhu. In March of this year, Sindhu was chosen as the female flagbearer, but previously in the month, Sharath Kamal—who will compete in his record-tying sixth Olympics—was chosen as the Indian flagbearer.
“We’re looking forward to leading the Indian contingent during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris on July 26 (Friday). For the past three to four months, I’ve been fantasizing and visualising about this moment. I’m extremely happy to live that moment, especially with PV Sindhu. So, I think it’s a beautiful time,” stated Sharath Kamal.
Notably, in 2020, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) revised its rules, allowing one female and one male athlete from each NOC to carry the flag together during the Summer Games’ opening ceremony.India’s lone female athlete with numerous Olympic medals is Sindhu. In the women’s singles competition, the ace shuttler won a silver medal in Rio in 2016 and a bronze in Tokyo in 2020.
“Sarath Kamal, our fellow Indian, and I are honored to carry the flag together. It’s an extremely proud moment for both of us, and naturally, he’s like a super senior to me. Being a flag bearer and representing our country at the Olympics is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He’s standing there, right in front, holding an Indian flag.”Holding the flag with fellow Indians is always nice, especially since I’ve known him for a very long time,” Sindhu remarked.
Conversely, Sindhu is eager for the action to start as she will be competing in her third consecutive Olympics, hoping to win her third consecutive medal and make history as the most decorated Indian athlete in the games.
“I’m quite happy to be in Olympic Village. I’m eager for the Olympics to start because this will be my third time participating.She will be aiming for her third consecutive medal to become India’s most decorated athlete at the Olympics.
“I am quite proud to be here at Olympic Village. This will be my third Olympics, and I’m quite thrilled for the tournament to begin. At the same time, I will be the flag bearer for the Indian contingent, which makes me really proud… I’ll be holding the larger flag at the opening ceremony, and I’m hoping to do well in the competition and bring home a medal for India,” Sindhu added.During the parade, around 100 boats will float along the Seine, carrying an estimated 10,500 athletes. The largest of the 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) involved in the procession will have their own boats, while the lesser ones will share.
