NEW DELHI: The Indian delegation participating in the Athletes' Parade at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony on Friday will consist of 78 athletes and officials representing 12 sports.
PV Sindhu and Achanta Sharath Kamal have been chosen to lead the contingent.
According to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), all the athletes who made themselves available for the ceremony will be part of the Parade.
"IOA President PT Usha and Chef-de-Mission Gagan Narang have given top priority to athletes in the composition of the contingent in the Athletes' Parade." PTI quoted IOA as saying.
"Many have competitions on Saturday and IOA has been respectful of their decision to prioritise preparation and to not take part in the Opening Ceremony."
The Indian contingent at the Paris Olympics will be led by flag-bearers Sindhu and Sharath Kamal during the Athletes' Parade. Notable athletes in attendance include Deepika Kumari (archery), Lovlina Borgohain (boxing), Manika Batra (table tennis), and Rohan Bopanna (tennis).
Due to prior commitments, some athletes will not participate in the parade. Rower Balraj Panwar has a race scheduled for Saturday morning, while the Indian men's hockey team will face New Zealand on the same day.
As a result, three reserve players from the hockey team will join the ceremony instead. Additionally, the track and field, weightlifting, and wrestling teams have yet to arrive in Paris.
India boasts a strong representation of 117 athletes, with women making up 47 of the total. The Opening Ceremony will take place in a unique setting this year, breaking from the traditional stadium venue.
Instead, the event will unfold along the picturesque banks of the river Seine, where over 6,500 athletes will sail past Paris' iconic monuments in approximately 90 boats, marking a historic first in Olympic history.
Indian players taking part in the Opening Ceremony:
Flag-bearers: PV Sindhu (badminton) and Achanta Sharath Kamal (table tennis).
