Paris Olympics: Why did Abhinav Bindra tap a wooden baton thrice on floor before Ramita Jindal’s shooting final?

After Ramita Jindal and seven other shooters had adopted their stance in their firing positions for the 10m air rifle final on Monday, Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra turned up behind the shooters.

He was wielding a red baton which he tapped it on the floor three times.

In the ongoing Paris Olympics, an unusual ceremony happens before the start of the sporting sessions, where a former or current athlete or public figure or even a fan walks out with a red baton, which is a piece of wood, and taps it thrice on the floor, which signals the start of the competition.

Tony Estanguet, President of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, in a press conference had also spoken about this new tradition for this year’s Olympic Games at the press conference.

Here’s everything you need to know about this ritual and the red baton:

What is this ritual called?

The Red Baton, also referred to as ‘a brigadier.’

Where is it inspired from?

It is a symbolic gesture inspired from the French theatre to mark the opening of a performance.

Why is it tapped thrice on the floor?

It is tapped thrice on the floor to instruct the audience that the show will begin and they must remain silent and concentrate.

What is the history behind tapping the baton on the floor thrice?

There is no clear theory about its origin. According to Olympic.com, the ritual started in France around the 17th century.

Are there other theories about this ritual?

🔹The ceremonial three taps of the red baton before each event at the Paris Olympics have their roots in a centuries-old tradition. Originally, this gesture signified a nod to the Holy Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – allowing performers to seek blessings from the clergy before taking the stage.

🔹While some believe that the three taps of the red baton represent the trio of essential elements in the performing arts: the actors who bring the show to life, the spectators who bear witness, and the story that unites them.

🔹Another theory suggests that the three taps of the red baton pays homage to the actor’s movement and positioning on stage. Specifically, the three strikes represent the actor’s key positions: facing the audience, stage left (garden side), and stage right (courtyard side). This interpretation celebrates the actor’s artistry and the spatial dynamics of performance.

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