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On Friday, August 9, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) named star Indian goalkeeper, PR Sreejesh as India’s flagbearer for the closing ceremony at 2024 Paris Olympics, which is scheduled to take on Sunday, August 11. Sreejesh, who announced retirement from international hockey, last featured in the Indian colours during the side’s 2-1 win against Spain to clinch back-to-back bronze medals at Olympic Games.
He will be joined by India’s two-time Olympics medallist Manu Bhaker, who etched history by becoming first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in shooting. Moreover, Bhaker also became the first athlete since India attained Independence to win multiple medals in a single edition of Olympic Games.
“The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is delighted to announce the nomination of hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh as the joint flagbearer with pistol shooter Manu Bhaker at the Closing Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” the IOA informed in its statement. While Sreejesh was part of India’s bronze medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Manu Bhaker clinched bronze medals in 10m air pistol and 10m pistol mixed team, alongside Sarabjot Singh.
PT Usha opens up on picking Sreejesh over Neeraj Chopra as India’s flagbearer
IOA President PT Usha also opened up on picking PR Sreejesh as India’s choice to be the flagbearer at the Closing Ceremony of the Summer Games. She even informed that he comes as a popular choice, including the Chef de Mission Gagan Narang and the entire contingent.
“Sreejesh has served Indian hockey in particular and Indian sport in general admirably through more than two decades,” PT Usha said in the statement. She also revealed that she had spoken to Neeraj Chopra, who won his second successive Olympic medal on Thursday night, and lauded his decision to grace Sreejesh with this opportunity.
“I spoke with Neeraj Chopra and appreciate the spontaneity and grace with which he agreed that Sreejesh should be the flagbearer at the Closing Ceremony. He told me ‘Ma’am, even if you had not asked me, I would have suggested Sree bhai’s name.’ It is reflective of the immense respect Neeraj has for Sreejesh and his contribution to Indian sport,” she added.
