The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Wednesday, 27 July, announced that two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu would be India's flag-bearer at the Commonwealth Games, 2022. She was also the flag-bearer at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra was originally supposed to be India's flag-bearer at the CWG slated to be held in Birmingham, but he pulled out of the event due to fitness concerns on Tuesday, 26 July.
"The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is delighted to announce shuttler PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, as the Flagbearer of Team India at the Opening Ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games," the IOA said in an official statement, according to NDTV.
Calling it a "great honour," PV Sindhu thanked the IOA for choosing her as the flag-bearer, as per ANI.
She said, "Great honour to be bestowed with the responsibility to lead the contingent and hold the flag at such an august gathering. I'm extremely happy and I wish all my fellow contingent all the best for the Games. I'd like to thank IOA also for choosing me as the flag bearer."
Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and boxer Lovlina Borgohain, who are both Olympic medallists, were also considered for the position.
"A four-member committee, comprising IOA Acting President Mr Anil Khanna, IOA Secretary General Mr Rajeev Mehta, IOA Treasurer Mr Anandeshwar Panday, and Team India Chef de Mission Mr Rajesh Bhandari, shortlisted the three athletes. Eventually, Mr Khanna and Mr Mehta selected Ms Sindhu as the Flagbearer for the Opening Ceremony," IOA said.
(With inputs from NDTV.)
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