Once every four years, athletes and fans from around the world, witness the traditions of the host nation. Such is the case in Paris 2024 too and was evident during Ramita Jindal’s Women’s 10m Air Rifle Final on Monday.

After Ramita walked out and took her stance for the final along with other shooters, Beijing 2008 gold medallist Abhinav Bindra walked out in the center with a baton in his hand. It was a surprising move by the Organizing Committee as many did not anticipate it. However, the move has been a regular feature at Paris 2024.

Bindra not only walked out with the baton to take the center stage but also tapped it thrice on the floor, signaling the start of the competition.

The President of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, Tony Estanguet, had spoken about the new tradition in the Games at a press conference. The Red Baton is referred to as a ‘brigadier’ and the move is drawn from the French theatres where it traditionally marks the opening of a performance.

The baton is tapped thrice on the floor to mark the beginning of the show, for which, they must remain silent and concentrate. Although there is no clear indication of the origin of the tradition in France, it is speculated that it began as early as the 17th century, according to a report in Olympics.com.