• By Namrata Vijay
  • Fri, 09 Aug 2024 07:52 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Paris Olympics 2024: PT Usha, who is the president of the Indian Olympic Association, has said that it was Neeraj Chopra who stepped aside and allowed PR Sreejesh to be the country's flagbearer for the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics on Sunday. On Friday it was decided that Sreejesh would be one of the flag bearers for the country's contingent at the closing ceremony with shooter Manu Bhaker. Both Sreejesh and Neeraj were in contention to be the flag bearer with Manu as per reports.

But at the same time, Usha talked about Neeraj's selfless act for Sreejesh, which led the Indian goalkeeper to become the country's flagbearer at the closing ceremony. During an interaction with PTI, she said that she had a word with Neeraj and he agreed to let Sreejesh be the flag bearer for the country in the closing ceremony. She further revealed that Neeraj told her that he would have given Sreejesh's name for the job.

“I spoke with Neeraj Chopra and appreciate the spontaneity and grace with which he agreed that Sreejesh should be the flag-bearer at the Closing Ceremony," PT Usha was quoted as saying to PTI.

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“He told me ‘Ma’am, even if you had not asked me, I would have suggested Sree bhai’s name’. It is reflective of the immense respect Neeraj has for Sreejesh and his contribution to Indian sport", she added.

Sreejesh served Indian sport admirable for more than two decades

Usha admitted that Sreejesh was "both an emotional and popular choice within the IOA leadership" to be the country's flagbearer at the closing ceremony.

“Sreejesh has served Indian hockey in particular and Indian sport in general admirably through more than two decades,” she concluded.

Sreejesh and Neeraj's fantastic Olympic campaigns

Both Sreejesh and Neeraj have had a brilliant Olympic stint in Paris. Sreejesh was one of the Indian men's hockey team's main stars, who helped the team win their second consecutive bronze medal. It was the first time since 1942 that India had won consecutive Olympic medals in this sport.

At the same time, Neeraj clinched the silver medal in the summit clash of the men's javelin event by throwing at a distance of 89.45m, which was also his season-best record. But his efforts went in vain as Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem created the new Olympic record of 92.97m and won the gold medal.