Mary Kom and Manpreet Singh becomes the flag bearer: Tokyo Olympics

In the Tokyo Olympics 2020, Mary Kom and Manpreet Singh will be the flag bearers of the opening ceremony from India. Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced this news on Monday. The postponed Tokyo Olympics will be starting from 23rd July.

This year, India will be having one female and one male flag bearer. They took this step to ensure and follow gender parity and equality in the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee last year (IOA) took the decision of gender equality in flag bearing last year.

Also, Bajrang Punia will be the flag-bearer at the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics 2020 on August 8.

Read also: Indian Athletes Qualified for 2020 Olympics in Tokyo: In Detail

The athletes in an interview:

Mary Kom said to PTI, "It would be a huge moment for me given that it is my last Olympics. Who knows I might even get emotionally overwhelmed. I am honored to get this opportunity of leading the team out during the opening ceremony. It would be an added motivation. I promise to do my best for a medal."

Manpreet Singh stated,  "I think it's a huge honor to be named the flag bearer for the opening ceremony alongside the incredible Mary Kom. I have always been inspired by her journey in boxing and personally, for me, this is a big moment in my career, and it is also a huge moment for hockey. I thank the Indian Olympic Association for this great opportunity, and I am looking forward to the responsibility at the Opening Ceremony in Tokyo."

More than a hundred athletes from India are part of the Olympics this year. This is a moment of absolute honor for the country. This time, the participation percentage of females is 44% and males is 56%.