Sreejesh, Bhaker to be flagbearers in Olympics closing ceremony
Before homing in on Sreejesh, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief PT Usha spoke with Neeraj Chopra, and she said even the superstar javelin thrower wanted to see the retiring legend as flag-bearer
PTI
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IOA Chie PT Usha said Sreejesh was "both an emotional and popular choice" within the IOA leadership
Paris, 9 Aug
Celebrated hockey goalkeeper PR
Sreejesh will join star shooter Manu Bhaker as the flag-bearer of the Indian contingent
in the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games here on Sunday, a fitting honour
and recognition for his contributions to the team.
Before homing in on Sreejesh,
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chief PT Usha spoke with Neeraj Chopra, and
she said even the superstar javelin thrower wanted to see the retiring legend
as flag-bearer.
Chopra claimed a silver here to
become the first Indian track and field athlete to win two Olympic medals. He
won a historic gold in the Tokyo edition three years ago. "I spoke with
Neeraj Chopra and appreciate the spontaneity and grace with which he agreed
that Sreejesh should be the flag-bearer at the Closing Ceremony," Usha
said in a statement. "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
revealed.
Usha said Sreejesh was "both
an emotional and popular choice" within the IOA leadership, including
Chef-de-Mission Gagan Narang, and the entire Indian contingent.
The legendary Sreejesh retired from
the game after India's bronze medal-winning feat at the ongoing Games, bringing
to an end a glorious career spanning 18 years. "The Indian Olympic
Association is delighted to announce the nomination of hockey goalkeeper PR
Sreejesh as the joint flag-bearer with pistol shooter Manu Bhaker at the
Closing Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games," the IOA said in a
statement.
The 2-1 triumph over Spain, in the
bronze medal playoff match here on Thursday, was a fitting farewell for the
36-year-old custodian who has served the team with distinction for so long. "Sreejesh
has served Indian hockey in particular and Indian sport in general admirably
through more than two decades," Usha said.
Sreejesh was also the flag-bearer
in the closing ceremony of the Hangzhou Asian Games last year.
The IOA had earlier named Bhaker as
the female flag-bearer after she became the first Indian athlete post
Independence to win multiple medals in a single Olympic Games.
She won bronze medals in the
women's 10m air pistol and the 10m air pistol mixed team (with Sarabjot Singh).
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