Fajar/Rian Not Participating In The 2024 Olympic Ceremony Opening

Fajar/Rian missed the Indonesian contingent defile at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics (doc. PBSI).

JAKARTA - Men's doubles pair Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto were unable to attend the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics because they were constrained by the match schedule.

The opening of the 2024 Olympics will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024, at 19.30 local time or Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 00.30 WIB, on the River.

Fajar/Rian certainly cannot take part in the Indonesian defile because they have a schedule for the first match of the group stage on Saturday, July 27, 2024.

"Obviously we want to participate in the opening of the Olympics. We want to experience the event, especially since the opening of this year's Olympics is held in the SEine River which is so beautiful and romantic," Fajar said in a statement from PBSI.

"However, our schedule is indeed on Saturday (27/7/2024). So, we chose to focus on the first match alone. Hopefully on another occasion, we can participate," he said again.

The All England 2023 and 2024 champions will start their first match against German representatives Mark Lamsfuss/Marvin Seidel.

This will be the fifth competitive clash between the two pairs. In the previous four meetings, Fajar/Rian were recorded to have won 3-1 over Mark/Marvin.

"We will discuss again with the coach, watch their video games, to prepare a suitable strategy. Now just take care of your condition and stay mentally," said Rian.

Fajar/Rian are currently in the 2024 Paris Olympic Athletes Village. The place that has complete and modern facilities is located in the Bords de SEine, Saint-Denis.

"We are quite impressed with the Athlete Village, in extraordinary facilities. It is very complete and modern, especially the fitness room."

"We've felt this before during the Asian Games, but the difference here is that there are more athletes and from all over the world. So, the atmosphere is more felt," said Rian.

Fajar/Rian were among the nine badminton athletes who appeared in the 2024 Olympics. They went there with Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, Jonatan Christie, Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, Apriyani Rahayu, Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti, Rinov Rivaldy, and Pitha Haningtyas Mentari.

Badminton is Indonesia's mainstay sport to win a gold medal. This tradition is also expected to be maintained this year.