As the much-anticipated Paris 2024 Olympics approach, India’s flag-bearers Achanta Sharath Kamal and PV Sindhu have shared their enthusiasm for the upcoming event. The opening ceremony is set to be a memorable occasion, with both athletes expressing their pride and excitement.
Two-time Olympic medallist and 2019 World Champion in badminton, PV Sindhu, will be India’s female flag-bearer alongside veteran table tennis player Sharath Kamal. Gagan Narang will serve as the Chef-de-Mission for the Indian contingent.
Sharath Kamal’s Anticipation
Sharath Kamal, who has been visualizing this “fantastic moment” for months, expressed his excitement in a video released by IOA media. “Waiting for July 26th, when we will be leading the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony. It has been a moment for the past three to four months that I have been dreaming about and visualizing. So I am pretty excited about it, especially because I am going to do that with PV Sindhu. So it is a fantastic moment, I will say,” Kamal said.
PV Sindhu’s Pride
PV Sindhu, who views Kamal as a mentor and “super senior,” shared her pride in being chosen as a flag-bearer. “I am very happy to be the flag-bearer alongside fellow Indian Sharath Kamal. It is a proud moment for both of us and is a one-time opportunity for anyone to be a flag-bearer and represent our country at the Olympics. It is a very proud moment for both of us. He is like a super senior to me. I have known him for a long time,” Sindhu stated.
She added, “Me and Sharath Kamal will be holding the flag at the opening ceremony. I have known Sharath for a very long time, and he has been playing amazingly for so many years. This would be his fourth or fifth Olympics, I guess. It would be a great moment sharing the flag with him, super proud.”
Achievements and Events
PV Sindhu, currently ranked World No. 12, has been a prominent figure in Indian badminton for years. Her silver medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics against Spain’s Carolina Marin made her the first Indian badminton player to reach the final of the prestigious event.
India will participate in both individual and team events in table tennis at the Paris Olympics. In the singles event, Sharath Kamal and Harmeet Desai will represent the men’s category, while Manika Batra and Sreeja Akula will compete in the women’s category. The men’s team event will feature Sharath Kamal, Harmeet Desai, and Manav Thakkar. The women’s team will include Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, and Archana Kamath.
