 "Preethi Pal (L) and Harvinder Singh (R) will be India's flag-bearers at the Paris Paralympics closing ceremony.")
Chef de Mission Satya Prakash Sangwan announced on Friday (6 September) that archer Harvinder Singh and para-athlete Preethi Pal will be the flag bearers for India at the closing ceremony of the Paris Paralympics 2024.
At the time of writing, India have won a record 26 medals in the French capital, including a single edition high of six golds, nine silver and 11 bronze. The previous best tally was 19 medals and five gold, both achieved in Tokyo three years ago.
Harvinder Singh made history by clinching the gold medal in Para Archery. It was India’s first gold medal across Olympics and Paralympics.
Expressing his pride, Harvinder Singh said, “Winning gold for India has been a dream come true, and now leading our nation as a flag bearer at the Closing Ceremony is the highest honor I could imagine. This victory is for everyone who believed in me, and I hope to inspire many more to pursue their dreams.”
Preethi Pal, meanwhile, clinched bronze medals in Women’s 100m T35 and Women’s 200m T35 event categories. In the process she became the first-ever track athlete to clinch multiple medals for India at the Paralympics.
Expressing her excitement, Preeti Pal said, “It is a great honor to represent India as a flag bearer. This moment is not just about me; it’s about every para-athlete who has pushed their limits to make our nation proud. I am thrilled to be leading our incredible team at the Closing Ceremony.”
Chef de Mission, Satya Prakash Sangwan also shared his thoughts on the occasion, saying, “Harvinder Singh’s historic gold in Archery and Preeti Pal’s stellar performance in Athletics have made them true ambassadors of our nation’s grit and determination. Their role as flag bearers at the Closing Ceremony is a symbol of the incredible journey our athletes have undertaken. Their achievements inspire us all, and I am confident they will continue to motivate future generations of para-athletes.”