Indian hockey bronze medallist PR Sreejesh will be India's flag-bearer along with double medallist Manu Bhaker for the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024. Sreejesh who won two consecutive Olympic medals in the last two editions of the Olympics. The 'Wall of India' (PR Sreejesh) has already announced that this will be his last Olympic game for India as a player. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha revealed that he asked Neeraj Chopra and the star javelin thrower told her that he would also want to suggest his name for the same.
Indian contingent have managed to win four bronze medals and one silver medal in the ongoing Olympics 2024 so far.
"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.
"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 win over Spain, in the bronze medal playoff match 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.
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