TN athletics body questions ‘non-descript sportsman’ Sharath Kamal becoming India’s flag bearer for Paris 2024 – Firstpost
A statement issued by the TNAA on Friday said the IOA’s decision to appoint table tennis star Sharath Kamal as India’s flag bearer in place of Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra had caused a “wave of shock” across the country.
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Athletics Association has questioned the IOA’s decision to name table tennis star Achanta Sharath Kamal as India’s flag bearer for the upcoming Paris Olympics, calling him “indescribable sportsman” and demanding that ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra be given the honour. .
An Indian Olympic Association (IOA) source, however, told PTI that making Chopra the flag bearer for the opening ceremony would have been “a sheer waste of crucial last-minute preparation time” for the superstar bowler javelin as his event begins towards the end of the year. the Games from July 16 to August 11.
Legendary long jumper Anju Bobby George also reportedly expressed her displeasure that Olympic javelin thrower and world champion Chopra was not named the flag bearer.
A joint statement issued by TNAA president WI Davaram and secretary C Latha on Friday said the IOA’s decision had sent “shock waves” across the country.
“The appointment of TT player Sharath Kamal as the flag bearer of the Indian Olympic contingent has sent shockwaves across the country. It is not just sportspersons, but everyone who follows sports who are aggrieved by the injustice of excluding Neeraj Chopra, India’s only gold medalist in athletics in the 130-year history of the Olympics.
“In addition to being the current Olympic and World Champion, he has also been selected to defend his title at the next Olympic Games. I can’t imagine him (Chopra) being part of the national team led by any sportsman, Sharath Kamal.
TNAA officials also questioned the IOA’s logic in announcing the flag bearer’s name so early.
“Why is there a rush to announce the flag bearer and what is the reason why the world and Olympic champion is left out. The IOA should explain why it rushed unnecessarily to announce the name of the flag bearer.”
Chopra’s event at the Olympics begins on August 6 (qualifying round), while the opening ceremony is scheduled for July 26. If named flag bearer, Chopra must be in Paris by July 25 at the latest and then return to his training base after the opening ceremony.
Under Paris Olympics rules, no athlete can enter the Games Village seven days before their event, according to sources.
“So either Chopra will have to return to his training base after the opening ceremony or stay out in Paris in a hotel because he can’t enter the Games village seven days before his event,” a source said from IOA to PTI on condition of anonymity.
“We considered all these factors and thought it would be a complete waste of crucial last-minute preparation time for Chopra whose entire country is waiting for a gold medal.
“Why should we take this risk,” he added.
