The mysterious woman who marched alongside the Indian athletics team during the opening ceremony has apologised for her mistake.

Pictures from the ceremony showed Madhura Nagendra walking in the stadium dressed in red and blue, next to the official Indian contingent's women, who were wearing yellow saris and blue blazers.

The bangalore student told reporters that walking out with the athletes was "an error of judgement" which had offended her nation.

She said: "Of course I have realised the mistake, as a strong young individual I have come up in front of my whole country to apologise and tell them what has happened."

Madhura was supposed to be in the stadium as a volunteer performer, however her impromptu appearance alongside the Indian team angered many in her home country.