Gagan Narang to be Indian team Chef-de Mission in Paris Olympics

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has appointed 2012 London Olympics bronze medalist shooter Gagan Narang as the Chef-de-Mission of the Indian team for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, replacing Mary Kom. Ace Badminton player PV Sindhu was also appointed as the co-flag bearer along with table tennis player Sharath Kamal. 

The appointment of Gagan Narang and PV Sindhu was announced by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha on 8 July 2024.

Gagan Narang replaces Mary Kom as Chef-de-Mission 

In March 2024, the Indian Olympic Association appointed 2012 London Olympic Games bronze medalist Mary Kom as the Chef- de-Mission for the Indian contingent at the Paris Olympic Games 2024.

 At that time, Gagan Narang was given the responsibility of overseeing India’s operations at the shooting range for the Indian shooting contingent.

Later on, Mary Kom declined to accept the post due to certain personal reasons. 

Shiva Keshavan will remain the deputy Chef -de- Mission.

Role of the Chef -de-Mission 

Chef de Mission, in French, means ‘head of mission’. The Chef de Mission is an important administrative post for any national contingent taking part in an international multidisciplinary sporting event. The Chef de Mission is the spokesperson of the entire team during the Olympic Games. They are also mentors, supporters, and cheerleaders who aim to motivate and inspire the team while protecting the athletes' performances.

PV Sindhu appointed as the co-flag bearer of the Indian contingent

• The Indian Olympic Association also appointed two-time Olympic medallist badminton player PV Sindhu as the co-flag bearer of the India contingent along with the 13-time Commonwealth Games medallist table tennis veteran Sharath Kamal.
• Earlier, the Indian Olympic Association had appointed only Sharath Kamal as the flag bearer of the Indian contingent for the Paris Olympics.  
• In 2020, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed one male and one female athlete to hold the flag of their nation during the opening ceremony of the Olympics. 
• At the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, Mary Kom and Hockey team captain Manpreet Singh were India’s flag-bearers.
• This will be the second time a male and female athlete will jointly be the flag bearer at a Summer Olympics.

Flag bearer at the Olympic Games

In every multinational/continental game, the flag bearer is the first person to lead his country’s contingent, comprised of athletes, supporting staff, and other officials, during the opening ceremony and parade of the games. The flag bearer is usually a distinguished player of the country.

The parade is held at the game's opening and closing ceremonies. Thus, the same person or a different person can be appointed flag bearer for these ceremonies.

Indian flag bearer at Summer Olympics 

• Athlete Purma Banerjee was the first Indian to carry the Indian flag at the Summer Olympics at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics. 
• Shiny Wilson became the first woman to be an Indian Flag bearer at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.
• Mary Kom and Manpreet Singh were jointly the Indian flag bearers at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

2024 Paris Summer Olympics  

• The 33rd Summer Olympics will be hosted by the French capital city of Paris from 26 July to 11 August 2024.
• Paris will be hosting the Summer Olympics for the third time after 1900 and 1924.
• Around 10,500 athletes from 206 National Olympic committees are expected to participate in the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Four new sports have been introduced in the Paris Olympics 2024: Breaking, Surfing, Sport Climbing, and Skateboarding.