Mystery woman in the Indian contingent in opening ceremony identified
Lord Coe told journalists at the daily Olympic news conference that the woman was one of the cast members of the opening ceremony who got “over-excited”.
The Indian contingent and the Indian authorities have expressed fury over the mystery woman’s presence in the team’s short (under a minute-long) presence at the opening ceremony. They are seeking an apology.
The Indian contingent included seven officials, three medical staff and around 40 athletes. The whole list of the Indian contingent at London 2012 Olympics has been published by the Indian Olympic Association.
The team, led by wrestling champion Sushil Kumar Solanki – India’s flag-bearer, was dressed in traditional Indian outfit. While the women wore yellow sarees, the men wore yellow Rajasthani turbans and beige trousers and navy blue blazers.
The mystery woman was seen parading alongside Solanki and stood out from the rest of the team as she was wearing a red top and a blue trouser. She smiled and even waved at the audience and was part of the contingent until the end.
Lord Coe dismissed security fears by saying that the woman “didn't just walk in off the street,” but was a member of the event.
She shouldn't have been there but she was definitely in the venue, Coe said. He will be speaking to the Indian delegation. Olympic organiser Locog is likely to release a statement on the incident.
UPDATE August 03, 2012:
The mystery woman in red, later identified as Madhura Nagendra, an Indian studying in London, has apologised but insisted that she did not breach security during the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony. It was an "error of judgment" she said.
