Tokyo Olympics: IOA questions stricter norms for Indian athletes
The Indian contingent is soon to travel to Tokyo for the upcoming Olympic Games. While the country is expected to have around 190 athletes travelling, the Japanese government has imposed stricter norms for them, objected by the IOA.
FollowThe Tokyo Olympics is just over a month away, as preparations for the same are underway. In the same light, the Indian contingent, which is likely to have around 190 athletes represent in the Games, has also begun preparing for the global extravaganza and gets set to travel to Tokyo soon.
Meanwhile, the Indians might face some issues in Tokyo as the Japanese government has decided to impose stricter norms on them and have asked them to limit physical interactions with the athletes of other nations for at least three days since arrival. Consequently, the Indian Olympic Association has not taken this decision lightly and has questioned it, besides terming it as "unfair and discriminatory".
"Athletes are allowed to arrive in the Games Village only five days before their event. Now, three days will be wasted. This is the time the athletes need to be moving towards their mode to peak. Highly unfair for Indian athletes," a letter from IOA read, reports ANI.
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"Where and when will the athletes have their breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc. during these three days, as everyone has food in the Games Village food hall where all athletes and officials of other NOCs are present all the time. If food packets are being delivered outside the rooms of the athletes, then who will plan their body requirements like proteins, food preferences, etc. and will it not affect the performance of athletes, who will not get their preferred diet, just five days before the Olympics?" the letter further read.
The IOA had earlier confirmed that all the Indian athletes would be adequately vaccinated for COVID-19 with the mandatory two doses before leaving for Tokyo. Similarly, it has questioned Japan's decision to have the athletes suffer due to the stricter norms, just days before the Games when they need to train to their fullest to be competition ready.
"While we respect any country's decision to keep their country safe and secure, the athletes going out of India will be double vaccinated, have RTPCR tests done every day for last seven days before leaving then why to make the athletes suffer at a time when they need to peak, once again highly unfair for Indian athletes who have worked hard for five years to be discriminated against just five days before the Olympics," the letter concluded.
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