Tokyo Olympics: IOA mulling sending first batch of athletes on July 17

The Tokyo Olympics is all set to grip the world in sporting fever from July 23. The Indian contingent is likely to be more than 120 athletes strong. Meanwhile, the Indian Olympic Association could send the first batch of the athletes on July 17.

The Indian contingent is more or less set to travel to Tokyo for the Olympic Games. While more than 100 athletes are set to travel, the final strength of the contingent is likely to be 120 athletes strong. Meanwhile, the Indian Olympic Association is looking to send the first batch of athletes to Tokyo by July 17.

"As of now, our plan is to send the first batch of athletes from India to Tokyo on July 17th, but we are trying to send them a couple of days before so that quarantine and training issues will be sorted out. We are in touch with the concerned authorities in Tokyo to get it sorted. Our government is supporting us in every way, and we are hopeful that everything will be sorted out soon," Narinder Batra (IOA President) told ANI.

Also, the flag bearer for India during the opening ceremony is also likely to be announced by July 5. "IOA is planning to declare the names on the 5th of July. We have some names which we are sorting out, but as of now, majorly it is on PV Sindhu and Bajrang Punia, but again, it's not official. Final names will be declared by 5th of July," sources were quoted as saying.

The Games have been delayed by a year due to COVID-19 concerns, while it would run from July 23 to August 8. Also, the Sports Authority of India has ensured to refine the Indian athletes with Japanese culture, as it conducted a session that was named 'From India with Pride'.

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