"I have no uniform to wear" AG 2-peat star's absurd situation... "Notified yesterday, my uniform is still in India"

*This content was translated by AI.

An absurd incident occurred where the athlete designated as the flag bearer for the Asian Games opening ceremony was unable to receive his official team uniform. Ultimately, he decided not to attend the opening ceremony, and the Indian delegation had to urgently replace its male flag bearer.

Reuters reported on the 19th (Korean time) that "India has replaced its male flag bearer ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games being held in Nagoya, Japan."

The athlete originally selected as the male flag bearer for the Indian delegation was shot put star Tajinderpal Singh Toor.

Toor is India's top star aiming to win his third consecutive gold medal in the shot put at this year's Asian Games.

However, Toor, who was scheduled to lead the delegation while carrying the flag at the opening ceremony, ended up unable to attend the event.

This was because he did not receive his official opening ceremony uniform on time.

The official opening ceremony of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games is scheduled to be held today at 6 p.m. at Nagoya Paloma Mizuho Stadium.

However, it was reported that Toor's uniform had not yet arrived in Japan by the day of the opening ceremony.

Toor stated, "My uniform is still in India," and added, "I heard my uniform will arrive at the airport at 3 p.m."

He further explained, "It seems very difficult to receive the uniform at the airport and then travel to the opening ceremony venue on time."

Toor was in Japan for pre-tournament training with the Indian track and field team, which is why he had not received his official opening ceremony uniform.

Ultimately, Toor conveyed his intention to skip the opening ceremony. He explained, "So I informed the Indian Olympic Committee (IOA) that I would not attend the opening ceremony."

The process of selecting the flag bearer was also rushed. Toor said, "The IOA only informed me yesterday that I had been chosen as the flag bearer."

He added, "If I had been told a little earlier, the coach who arrived here yesterday could have brought my uniform instead," expressing regret.

As a result, India urgently replaced its male flag bearer just one day before the opening ceremony.

Kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat will take over as the male flag bearer for the Indian delegation in place of Toor.

The female flag bearer, shooting star Manu Bhaker, who won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, will proceed as planned.

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*This content was translated by AI.