India looks all set to make a mark in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. While the entire contingent is sure of winning medals, it aims to enter the double-digit mark in the medals tally, as IOA President Narinder Batra has expressed faith in the athletes.
The date to Tokyo Olympics is drawing closer as the Indian contingent continues to prepare hard for the same. Although the athletes are sure to win medals, it would be interesting to see if it can enter the double-digit in terms of the medal tally for the first time in history.
However, Indian Olympic Association president Narinder Batra has expressed his faith in the athletes and is confident of India attaining the double-figure. With 120-130 athletes set to fight it out, Batra asserted that all have had the best possible training for the same and would come out with a medal in at least every sport.
"The team that is going will be around 120-130 strong and I am expecting medals from everyone. I am not singling out any sport or any individual in terms of winning medals. So, I am expecting a double-digit medal tally from the entire Indian team," he told Moneycontrol.
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"They have given their best and trained for this period and it is they who have to go through the grind again. I do bad feel for the athletes who have to do it all over again, but the end is good as the Olympics are finally happening," he added.
The Games had been delayed by a year due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, while organisers are still facing challenges. Meanwhile, Batra has stated that besides athletes' training getting affected, there has been a loss on the financial front as well. Also, Batra confirmed that the IOA suffered losses following the snub of Chinese brand-sponsored kits, as the association would now be paying for the kits.
In the meantime, Batra confirmed that the athletes' vaccination would be completed by the first week of July. "The first dose of vaccination has been given to all athletes and officials who are going to Tokyo. This includes athletes who have qualified and those who will qualify potentially, which is a long list. About 80 per cent of the officials and athletes have also received the second dose, who have qualified and potentially will qualify. The remaining 20 per cent will be completed by the end of this month or positively by the first week of July," he concluded.
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