Birmingham: Two-time Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu described it as “a great honour” after the Indian Olympic Association decided to name her as India’s flag-bearer at the opening ceremony of the 22nd Commonwealth Games here.
Sindhu has to step in as Neeraj Chopra, who was earlier announced as flag-bearer had to withdraw from Birmingham 2022 due to an injury he suffered during the recent Athletics World Championship in Oregon, USA.
“It’s a great honour to be bestowed with the responsibility to lead the contingent and hold the flag at such an august gathering. I am extremely happy and I wish all my fellow contingent all the best for the Games. I would like to thank IOA also for choosing me as the Flag-bearer,” Sindhu said after the announcement here on Wednesday.
Earlier, the IOA said Sindhu was among three names that were considered for the role.
“The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is delighted to announce shuttler Ms PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, as the Flagbearer of Team India at the Opening Ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
“Alongside Ms Sindhu, who medalled at the Rio 2016 Olympics and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, two other highly deserving athletes were considered to be Team India’s flag-bearer: weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and boxer Lovlina Borgohain, who are both Olympic medallists,” the IOA said in a statement earlier in the day.
A four-member committee, comprising IOA Acting President Anil Khanna, IOA Secretary General Rajeev Mehta, IOA Treasurer Anandeshwar Panday, and Team India Chef de Mission Rajesh Bhandari, shortlisted the three athletes. Eventually, Khanna and Mehta selected Sindhu as the flag-bearer for the Opening Ceremony.
