Sakshi to be India's flag-bearer at Games closing

Wrestler Sakshi Malik, who won India's first medal at the Rio Olympics, will be the country's flag-bearer at the closing ceremony of the Summer Games.

The first Indian woman grappler to win an Olympic medal, a bronze in the 58kg freestyle at Rio, she was the obvious choice as P V Sindhu, India's only other medallist, who bagged a silver in the women's singles badminton, left for Hyderabad on Saturday.

"Sakshi and Sindhu have been the medallists for us and both displayed immense courage and determination during their competitions," said chef de mission Rakesh Gupta.

"Sakshi started the account for us and later Sindhu became the first Indian woman to win a silver medal. Sindhu, in fact, came close to making it a gold. Both Sakshi and Sindhu are young and have many more Olympic Games ahead of them, we can look forward to even greater performances from them.

"Sakshi opened the medal account for India in Rio and Sindhu added to it. These young ladies have been an inspiration for all women in India and I am sure many more will follow them," Gupta added.

N Ramachandran, President of the Indian Olympic Association, came to the Olympic Village and congratulated the two medallists and their coaches.

"I met Sindhu and Gopi and also Sakshi and her coach, Kuldeep. They have been great performers. I also congratulated others who came close to medals, like Abhinav Bindra, Dipa Karmakar and Sania and Rohan Bopanna.

"They were good enough for medals, but it was not their day. I wish them and all the others for their efforts and we hope that we can do even better in the future."

The Games will close with the Olympic flame being extinguished.

According to Rio 2016 communications director Mario Andrara, 41,233 tickets were sold for the Closing Ceremony at the Maracana.

However, it was still unclear whether Brazilian legend Pele, who had pulled out of the Opening Ceremony, will attend the function.

"If he wants to be there, he will be our guest, but we haven’t got in touch with him or he hasn’t got in touch with us since the Opening but obviously if we get a chance to have him it will be our pleasure," Andara said.

• Rio Olympics, on Rediff.com