Gagan Narang: Chef-de-Mission for the 2024 Paris Olympics

Changes in India's Olympic Leadership

Gagan Narang appointed as Chef-de-Mission for 2024 Paris Olympics

• • Replaces Mary Kom, who resigned due to personal reasons
  • Announcement made by IOA president PT Usha on July 8, 2024
  • Narang previously assigned to oversee shooting range operations
  • Shiva Keshavan remains deputy Chef-de-Mission

PV Sindhu appointed as co-flag bearer

• • PV Sindhu will share flag-bearing duties with table tennis player Sharath Kamal
  • Implements IOC's 2020 policy allowing one male and one female flag bearer
  • Second time India will have joint flag bearers at Summer Olympics

Roles and Responsibilities

Chef-de-Mission:

• French for "head of mission"
• Key administrative role for national contingent
• Serves as team spokesperson during Olympics
• Mentors, supports, and motivates athletes
• Protects athletes' performances

Flag Bearers:

• Lead country's contingent during opening and closing ceremonies
• Represent the nation and its athletes
• Typically distinguished players from the country

Historical Context and Paris 2024 Olympics

Indian Flag Bearers:

• Purma Banerjee: First Indian flag bearer (1920 Antwerp Olympics)
• Shiny Wilson: First female Indian flag bearer (1992 Barcelona Olympics)
• Mary Kom and Manpreet Singh: Joint flag bearers at 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Paris 2024 Olympics:

• 33rd Summer Olympics
• Dates: July 26 to August 11, 2024
• Third time Paris hosts Summer Olympics (after 1900 and 1924)
• Expected participation: 10,500 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees
• New sports introduced: Breaking, Surfing, Sport Climbing, and Skateboarding