Paris Olympics 2024: PR Sreejesh named flagbearer with Manu Bhaker for closing ceremony

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Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh retired from hockey after Indian men’s hockey team won bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Games. read more

 PR Sreejesh named flagbearer with Manu Bhaker for closing ceremony

PR Sreejesh and Manu Bhaker will be India's flagbearer at closing ceremony of Paris 2024. Reuters

PR Sreejesh will join two-time medallist Manu Bhaker as the flag-bearer of the Indian contingent during the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games on Sunday. The two-time Olympic medallist and Indian hockey team goalkeeper Sreejesh joining Bhaker was confirmed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) confirmed on Friday.

“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.

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IOA President PT Usha said Sreejesh was “both an emotional and popular choice within the IOA leadership”.

Sreejesh retired from hockey after India won bronze at the Paris 2024 Games.

IOA also said that Usha had a word with javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra after his silver medal win on Thursday.

“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,” she said.

“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 said.

IOA had earlier named Manu Bhaker as the female bearer after became the first athlete since India attained Independence to win multiple medals in a single Olympic Games. She won bronze medals in the 10m Air Pistol Women and the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team (with Sarabjot Singh).

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