The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Monday introduced that six-time world boxing champion MC Mary Kom and males’s hockey group captain Manpreet Singh will likely be India’s flag bearers on the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics.
Bajrang Punia, silver medalist on the 2018 World Wrestling Championships, would be the flag bearer on the closing ceremony on August 8.
For the primary time, India has two flag bearers – one male and one feminine – to make sure “gender equality” on the upcoming Tokyo Games. The IOA has knowledgeable the Organizing Committee of the Games concerning the resolution on this regard.
The group consists of 56 p.c male and 44 p.c feminine athletes.
“It will be a huge moment for me as this is my last Olympics. Who knows I might get overwhelmed emotionally too,” mentioned Mary Kom PTI. “I’m honored to have this chance to guide the group through the opening ceremony. This will likely be an extra inspiration. I promise to do my greatest for the medal.”
The Tokyo Games are to be inaugurated on July 23 and the postponed showpiece will see over 100 Indian athletes gunning for a podium end.
Early final yr, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) made provision for flag bearers of each sexes on the opening ceremony.
“The IOC Executive Board decided that – for the first time – each of the 206 teams should have at least one female and one male athlete and an IOC refugee Olympic team participating in the Games,” chief Thomas Bach mentioned.
.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
