Elgendy has been selected as one of Egypt's flag-bearers for the Paris 2024 Olympics, alongside weightlifting champion Sara Samir. 

In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Elgendy shared his pride in being chosen for this honour. He reminisced about his dream of carrying the Egyptian flag at the senior Olympics, a dream he first envisioned when he carried the flag at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires.

"It was a dream of mine back then to raise the Egyptian flag at the senior Olympics," Elgendy wrote on Instagram. 

"I knew it wouldn't be easy, but after winning the silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, one of the things I've been looking forward to most until the Paris 2024 Olympics is for that dream to come true and raise the flag at the opening ceremony." Elgendy added.

"Today, I am proud to be chosen to carry the Egyptian flag at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics," he said. 

Elgendy came under the spotlight after a stunning performance that made him the first African to win an Olympic modern pentathlon medal. His late rally in the men's event earned him a silver medal, just behind Britain's Joe Choong. This achievement catapulted him from relative obscurity to international recognition.

Since Tokyo, however, Elgendy has faced significant challenges. A series of injuries, particularly a shoulder injury, disrupted his momentum and forced him out of the semi-finals of the Pentathlon World Championships last month. Despite these setbacks, El Gendy's determination has never wavered.

"I know that I'm under the spotlight now, unlike in Tokyo. But I'm taking positives from that and treating it as extra motivation. My primary target is to win gold, but I will also be happy if I win a silver or bronze as it will mark a second successive Olympic medal," Elgendy told Reuters.

"I've had my share of injuries, but I'm more experienced and confident now. Over the past three years, I've participated in only seven championships due to my shoulder injuries, yet I won medals in five of them," Elgendy added.

The Paris Olympics will introduce new challenges for modern pentathletes, including a riding contest in both the semi-finals and the final. In Tokyo, the equestrian event was part of a single-round format, but the new structure adds an element of unpredictability, as riders are allocated random horses just 20 minutes before the start. This change requires a higher level of adaptability and skill from the athletes.

"There is a bigger risk now with regards to horse riding; it's a bigger challenge. We hope things will go smoothly," he added.

Elgendy's journey to the Tokyo Olympics was filled with intense training and significant personal sacrifices. Modern Pentathlon consists of five events: fencing, freestyle swimming, equestrian show jumping, and a final combined event of pistol shooting and cross-country running.

Elgendy credits his family, particularly his parents, for their unwavering support throughout his career. He also has a dedicated coaching team that has been instrumental in his recovery from injuries and his preparation for the Paris Olympics.

Egypt has a rich history in weightlifting and wrestling but has seen limited success in modern pentathlon. Elgendy's success has inspired a new generation of Egyptian athletes to pursue modern pentathlon.

His achievements have brought significant attention to modern pentathlon in Egypt, leading to increased participation and investment in the sport. 

Elgendy will start his journey on 8 August, bearing all the hopes of the Egyptians.

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