New Delhi: Finally after weeks of speculation, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced on Sunday that wrestler Sushil Kumar would be India's flag-bearer at the opening ceremony of London Olympics 2012.
Speaking at a conference here, IOA acting president VK Malhotra confirmed that the Olympic bronze-medallist wrestler will lead India's contingent at the opening ceremony.
Besides Sushil, IOA had shortlisted Beijing Olympics gold-medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra, bronze-medallists boxer Vijender Singh and tennis veteran Leander Paes for the flag bearer's role in London.
Bindra, the country's first individual gold medallist at the Olympics, was reportedly the preferred candidate of the IOA, but since his 10m air rifle event is scheduled three days after the opening ceremony on July 30, the shooter wanted to focus on his preparations. Similarly, Vijender's weigh-in is scheduled for July 28 so it was also tough on his part.
However, Paes got the honour of leading the Indian contingent at the Sydney Games, so Sushil was the only contender left to do the honours.
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