New Delhi: The first batch of India’s Tokyo Olympics-bound athletes would depart on a chartered flight on July 14 while the rest between July 16 and 19, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Secretary General Rajeev Mehta announced.
“The first batch of the Indian contingent, comprising athletes and officials, for the Olympics will leave in an Air India chartered flight on July 14. The rest of the officials will travel between July 16 and 19,” Mehta was quoted as saying in a press release.
It had also been revealed that all athletes and officials would be quarantined for three days after arriving in Tokyo. “We will have three days of quarantine. The day of arrival is termed as the zero day. After quarantine, we can move around,” said Mehta.
With the Tokyo Games nearing, the IOA is expected to announce the names of flag bearers for the opening ceremony of the showpiece event by July 5. However, some of the names had been in the air for the time being.
Mehta admitted that the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on Indian athletes’ preparation for the Games. “…(but) Team India is all set for the Games, with 115 athletes achieving qualification so far in 18 sports, including a historical first in fencing,” he said.
At the Tokyo Olympics, some Indian athletes would draw a lot of attention. World No.1 archer Deepika Kumari and her hurband Atanu Das would also be the center of attention at the Tokyo Olympics. PV Sindhu, the world’s best badminton player, would also be in the light.
The Tokyo Olympics supposed to take place last year, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it got postponed until this year and now scheduled to commence from July 23, 2021. Fencer CA Bhavani Devi, paddlers Achanta Sharath Kamal, G Sathiyan and sprinter Dutee Chand also attended the event.
