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Xtra Time Web Desk: Indian table tennis veteran Achanta Sharath Kamal and ace shuttler PV Sindhu are thrilled to be the flagbearers for India at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony on Friday. Sharath Kamal, set to compete in his record fifth Olympics, was chosen as India's flagbearer in March, while Sindhu was named as the female flagbearer earlier this month.

"Waiting for July 26 (Friday), when we'll be leading the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony in Paris (Olympics). It's been a moment that I've been dreaming and visualising about for the last 3-4 months. I'm pretty excited that I'm going to live that moment and especially that I'm going to do that with PV Sindhu. So, it's a fantastic moment, I would say," expressed Sharath Kamal.

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The International Olympic Committee's 2020 protocol allows one female and one male athlete from each National Olympic Committee (NOC) to bear the flag jointly during the opening ceremony. Sindhu, India's only female athlete with multiple Olympic medals, is excited for this "one-time opportunity."

"Yes, I'm very happy to be the flag bearer with our fellow Indian, Sharath Kamal. It's a proud moment for both of us and of course, it's a one-time opportunity for anyone to be a flag bearer and representing our country. It's at the Olympics, standing there, right in the front, holding an Indian flag, it's a very proud moment," said Sindhu.

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Paris 2024 will be Sindhu's third consecutive Olympics, where she aims to become the most decorated Indian athlete with a third medal. The Paris opening ceremony, held outside a stadium for the first time, will feature 100 boats carrying 10,500 athletes along the Seine, marking the largest Olympic opening ceremony ever.