Covid concerns in mind several Indian athletes have chosen to stay away
All due to COVID-19 concerns and because some competitions were scheduled the following day, several Indian athletes have chosen to stay away from the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics on Friday.
Chef de mission B P Baishya and the coaches arrived at this decision Thursday morning.
They included those from seven sports, including shooting, badminton, archery and hockey. Now only about 30 will remain in attendance at the event. From hockey, only flag-bearer, men’s team captain Manpreet Singh, will participate in the ceremony.
Indian Olympic Association President Narinder Batra said, “Archery, Judo, Badminton, Weightlifting, Tennis, Hockey (men and women), Shooting, the above are not participating due to matches on July 24, practice sessions on same date and staying safe.”
Six officials from each country are to participate in the march-past. Meanwhile, IOA secretary general Rajeev Mehta had earlier stated that only 50 would attend the ceremony.
“The march past will be in Japanese alphabetical order and India’s number is 21st,” he added.
Six officials from each country are to participate in the march-past. Meanwhile, IOA (Indian Olympic Association) secretary-general Rajeev Mehta had earlier stated that only 50 would attend the ceremony.
So there are likely to be — Hockey (1), Boxing (8), Table Tennis (4), Rowing (2), Gymnastics (1), Swimming (1), Sailing (4), Fencing (1), and Officials (6).
“Both the flag-bearers, i.e. MC Mary Kom and Manpreet Singh are participating in the opening ceremony,” Batra said.
Over 125 athletes, with the overall contingent size being 228, including officials, coaches, other support staff and alternate athletes in view of the Covid-19, are to participate from India. Men’s and women’s hockey teams will be competing for the day after the opening ceremony together with the shooters, archers.
While Mary Kom is not scheduled to compete the next day, Manpreet will be leading the side out for the first Pool A game against New Zealand on Saturday. Deputy chief de mission Prem Kumar Verma said the athletes and officials, recently landed in Tokyo will keep quarantining.