Buoyant Indian athletes wave flags on River Seine in Paris Olympics opening ceremony

New Delhi: The Indian Olympics contingent was led by flagbearers Sharath Kamal and PV Sindhu at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024 on River Seine on Friday evening in the French Capital. The opening ceremony started with the traditional ‘Parade of Nations’, although in a unique way of river parade since this was the first time that an opening ceremony of the Olympics event was held outside a stadium.

A total of 78 member of Indian contingent, including athletes, coaching staff members and other designated officials attended the ‘River Parade’ among the 205 delegations (National Olympic Contingents) with a total of 85 boats carrying more than 6800 athletes. There was one delegation of the Refugee Olympic team as well, consisting of 37 members, the largest in the last three editions. The six kilometer parade started from Austerlitz bridge and despite threats from rain showers, it sailed further, thanks to the vibrant atmosphere of athletes across contingents.

Veteran table tennis player Sharath Kamal and two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu were present at the front of the Indian boat, carrying the biggest Indian flag into their hands with their compatriots joining them by hoisting the mini-Indian flags throughout the parade.

Watch the video here:

Glimpses of Team India at the Opening Ceremony 🇮🇳

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— Just Badminton (@BadmintonJust) July 26, 2024

Where did India start at ‘Parade of Nations’

India was slotted at 84th place in the sequence of ‘Parade of Nations’ with Greece leading the march as a traditional custom. The belief that the Olympic moment took birth in Greece, the European country is given first preference as a recognition of holding the Olympic values.

The Indian athletes and coaches were dressed in the traditional attire, embodying the tri-coloured flag on their kurtas and sarees. Not all the athletes were present at the opening ceremonies with some yet to join the Paris Village. Events such as athletics are scheduled in the later part of the fortnight-competition, and thus some of them will join later. Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra was the notable absentee from the event.