Indian Flagbearers at the Olympics

Sitam Chaki | 05/08/2016
source: newsmarg.com

4. Leander Paes, Sydney 2000

Leander Paes
Leander Paes

Leander Paes needs no introduction. He has been the torch bearer of Indian tennis for the last 2 decades.

A 23 year old Paes had won bronze in the men’s singles event at the 1996 Barcelona Olympics. He beat Fernando Meligeni in the bronze medal play off. Tus, Paes became the first Indian to win an individual Olympic medal since KD Jadhav in 1952.

Also Read: Indian tennis at the Olympics

Since then, Paes has gone on to achieve phenomenal success in doubles tennis. He has won 8 men’s doubles Grand Slams and as many as 10 mixed doubles Grand Slams.

Paes was India’s flag bearer in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. By that time, he had won 2 men’s doubles Grand Slams with Mahesh Bhupathi. He had also a mixed doubles Grand Slam in 1999.

Post Edited By: Utkarsh Bhatla

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