IOA likely to declare Tokyo Olympics flag bearers name by July 5

With the Tokyo Games round the corner, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is likely to declare the name of flag bearers for the opening ceremony of the showpiece event by July 5.

"IOA is planning to declare the names on the 5th of July. We have some names which we are sorting out but as of now, majorly it is on PV Sindhu and Bajrang Punia but again it's not official. Final names will be declared by 5th of July," sources in the known development told ANI.

Meanwhile, the Sports Authority of India(SAI) and IOA continued their efforts to sensitise the Tokyo-bound athletes with a session titled 'From India with Pride' that helped them to understand the Japanese culture and address the possible barriers besides being ideal ambassadors of the country.

Tuesday's session was attended by badminton players and table tennis players like PV Sindhu, Sai Praneeth, Manika Batra, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, and others. Renowned media professional Joy Bhattacharjya moderated the session for which Go Sports Foundation is the knowledge partner.

"This was a wonderful session, we are all very excited about the Olympics. We will all enjoy the Olympics and give our best," said PV Sindhu, 2016 Olympic Games silver medallist. "The sessions on preparation for our travel and stay in Tokyo as well as anti-doping were informative and will help us."

Table Tennis player Sutirtha Mukherjee who is making her Olympics debut, was very happy with her learnings from the three-session, "These have been very interesting. I learnt a lot about Japan and about the expectations once I arrive there, I am really excited as this is going to be my first Olympics," she said.

The athletes watched a video of young athletes extending India's Olympics-bound athletes their best wishes. Weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga, shooters Shahu Mane and Shreyanka Sadangi, badminton player Malvika Bansod and swimmer Suvana Bhaskar were among the young athletes who featured in the video.

Sports Authority of India and the Indian Olympic Association are conducting three-session sensitisation programmes for all Tokyo-bound athletes.

( With inputs from ANI )

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