Xtra Time Web Desk: Six time World Champion boxer MC Mary Kom and Indian men’s hockey team captain Manpreet Singh will be carrying the Indian flag at the opening ceremony of Tokyo Olympics, announced Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Narinder Batra on Monday. It was also revealed that wrestler Bajrang Punia will be the flag bearer at the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Games on August 8.
“I am very happy about being given this opportunity to be the flagbearer. I want to thank each and everyone, SAI, IOA, Sports Ministry, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It’s not easy for everyone to be given this opportunity,” Mary Kom told ANI.
“I don’t have words to express my happiness because this will be my last Olympics and being the flag bearer, it’s a really big thing. Yes, expectations give pressure it’s not easy to tackle it but how to handle that pressure, I have learnt,” she added.
Meanwhile the total contingent for the Olympics would be around 126 athletes and 75 officials, and as a result, the total contingent would be around 201. It has 76 quota places and will compete in about 85 medal positions.
The Tokyo Olympics would be held from July 23 to August 8.