NEW DELHI: Gagan Narang, a shooter who won a bronze medal at the London Olympics, has been appointed as India's Chef-de-Mission for the upcoming Paris Olympics. He replaces Mary Kom in this role.
Ace Indian shuttler PV Sindhu will carry the Indian flag during the opening ceremony as the female flag bearer alongside star paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal.
According to PT Usha, the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the decision to promote the 41-year-old Narang from his previous position as deputy CDM was a natural choice following Mary Kom's resignation.
"I was looking for an Olympic medallist to lead our contingent and my young colleague is an apt replacement for Mary Kom," PT Usha said in a press release.
Narang was in the race to become the CDM of the Indian contingent, PTI had reported earlier.
"I am also delighted to announce that India's only woman to win two Olympic medals, PV Sindhu, as the female flag-bearer alongside table tennis ace A Sharath Kamal in the opening ceremony," she added.
"I am confident that our athletes are well prepared to deliver the best results for India in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games."