Carrying the national flag at the Parade of Nations will be one of every Indian’s bucket lists. It is something only a handful of athletes can achieve in a country.
Only a handful of athletes have had the opportunity to represent the country as the flag bearers and this time, Sumit Antil and Bhagyasree Jadhav will carry the Indian flag at the opening ceremony in Paris
With just a few hours left for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, The Bridge takes a look at the flag bearers for India over the years
2024- Sumit Antil and Bhagyasree Jadhav
While Neeraj Chopra’s recent Olympic success has inspired hope for India’s javelin throw future, Indian javelin throwers have consistently excelled at the Paralympic Games.
Many of these athletes have proudly carried the Indian flag at the Paralympic opening ceremonies, Sumit Antil will be the next in the line among the glorious list of javelin throwers who have carried the Indian Flags and made the country proud.
Sumit will join Asian Para Games silver medalist Bhagyashree Jadhav as the joint flag bearers at the opening ceremony in Paris
World Para Athletics C’ships 🥈 medallist shot-putter Bhagyashree Jadhav and Reigning World Record holder & Paralympic champion🏆 Sumit Antil named India’s flag-bearers for the #Paris2024 #Paralympics
They will be leading out an 84-member contingent, the largest ever for 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/virUS9deIW
— The Bridge (@the_bridge_in) August 16, 2024
Tokyo 2020 – Tek Chand
Right after Neeraj Chopra’s heroics in the Tokyo Summer Olympics another Indian javelin thrower -Tek Chand was chosen as the flag bearer for India at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Opening Ceremony.
Mariyappan Thangavelu, the Rio 2016 gold medalist, was initially chosen as India’s flag bearer for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. However, due to a COVID-19 outbreak among the Indian team, Tek Chand was appointed as the flag bearer instead.
Tek Chand leading the Indian contingent for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo (Photo Credits: AFP)
Rio 2016- Devendra Jhajharia
The 3-time Paralympic medal winner Devendra Jhajharia was chosen to carry the Indian flag at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. Jhajharia clinched his second gold at Rio in the Men’s Javelin Throw- F46 event.
Jhajharia also set a new World record breaking his own record of 62.15 metres from the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games.
Devendra Jhajharia, India’s flag-bearer at 2016 Rio Paralympics. (Photo Credits Facebook)
London 2012 – Jagsir Singh
Jagsir Singh Mahar from Hanumangarh, Rajasthan who competes in the Men’s F46 category was the Indian Flagbearer in London.
In 2010, he made history as the sole Indian athlete to clinch gold at the inaugural Asian Para Games in Guangzhou, China. He was also recognized with the prestigious Arjuna Award that same year, making his way as the flagbearer for the 2012 Lonon Paralympics
Jagsir Singh at the Parade of Nations of the Lonon 2012 Paralympics
Beijing 2008 – Rajinder Singh Rahelu
The bronze medal winner at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games Rajinder Singh Rahelu was able to carry the Indian flag in Beijing Paralympics. Rahelu represented India in the 56kg Men’s powerlifting event, but he could not repeat his success from the 2004 games as he finished 5th in the event.