Daily testing, isolation add to Tokyo Olympics woes of Indian athletes

0
100

In a transfer that can have an effect on athletes and officers arriving from India and who will compete in Wimbledon in addition to the Diamond League in London, Tokyo Olympics organizers have imposed strict restrictions on vacationers from international locations the place numerous types of COVID-19 are unfold has been recognized. .

According to an advisory issued on Friday, athletes touring from India have been instructed to not “interact or train with athletes from other countries” for the primary three days upon arrival within the Japanese capital. In addition, they should get themselves examined for COVID-19 day-after-day for seven days simply earlier than departure and day-after-day after arriving in Tokyo. This signifies that some athletes, akin to hockey gamers, should bear COVID testing for a minimum of 21 consecutive days earlier than and in the course of the Games.

In addition to the big selection of guidelines already in place, Tokyo Olympic organizers have imposed extra, stricter guidelines on athletes and members of different sports activities touring from 11 international locations, together with India, the United Kingdom and Malaysia. The advisory mentioned the brand new guidelines would apply to all vacationers – together with athletes, their coaches and assist employees – who’ve lived in these international locations inside 14 days of arriving in Tokyo.

no socialization

These guidelines are topic to vary relying on the coverage of the Japanese authorities. “For three days after you (athletes and officials) arrive in Japan, you will not be able to interact physically with any other team, delegation or anyone in the country. For example, in all sports, you will not be able to interact or train with athletes from any other country during that period,” the word mentioned.

“While all rules must be followed, with regard to physical distancing from other teams, delegations or countries, on arrival is of particular importance…” the advisory mentioned. “By following these important rules, you, as a sport participant, will be allowed to visit places on the list of permitted destinations upon your arrival in Japan.”

So far 100 Indian athletes have certified for the Games beginning July 23 and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) expects a dozen or extra to make the reduce earlier than the qualifying interval ends later this month.

While a lot of the medal contenders – together with the capturing workforce, weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, and wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia – have already shifted their base outdoors India, many as a consequence of journey restrictions associated to the pandemic Couldn’t handle it. .

coaching impact

Women’s and males’s hockey groups, boxers, desk tennis gamers and observe and discipline athletes are among the athletes who will journey to Tokyo from their bases in India.

For instance, hockey groups have been to depart for Tokyo on 17 July and play some apply matches earlier than beginning their marketing campaign on the Olympics. Now, except they push their journey dates, they should skip the apply video games, which will probably be an enormous blow to each the groups, as they’re already hungry for aggressive matches.

However, touring to Tokyo early may also be a problem as groups have been advised to verify into the Games Village 5 days earlier than their competitors begins. Therefore, in the event that they attain early then different lodging should be discovered.

Meanwhile, the boxers are set to journey to Italy this month after which head out for the Games earlier than returning to India.

Recently, the Sports Authority of India had suggested all Indian athletes to journey on to Tokyo from the nation the place they’re at present coaching or planning to go to.

It is realized that the IOA is in talks with the organizers to grasp how the brand new guidelines will probably be applied. “It isn’t a tricky quarantine, however the recommendation says we can not are available in contact with athletes or representatives from different international locations. So how and the place would an athlete eat his or her meals? Similarly, the place will they prepare, on condition that there will probably be athletes from different international locations within the coaching areas? Do they count on our athletes to coach in isolation at midnight?” said an officer. “The IOA is in talks with the organizers and can attempt to work out an answer that’s in one of the best curiosity of the nation’s athletes.”

The new guidelines might additionally have an effect on some tennis gamers who will attend Wimbledon, which ends on July 12, and observe and discipline stars who will compete within the Diamond League on July 13. Those touring from the UK ought to get examined for COVID-19. Every day for 3 days earlier than he left. However, the distancing guidelines for them will stay the identical as for vacationers from India.

****

extra restrictions

In an advisory issued on Friday, Olympic organizers imposed extra restrictions on athletes and officers from international locations with COVID-19 variants. They have been divided into two teams:

Group 1: Afghanistan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka

Trial: Every day, for seven days, earlier than departure for Japan; video games day-after-day

Distancing: For three days after arriving in Japan, no bodily interactions with athletes and officers from different international locations, together with coaching periods with them.

Group 2: Bangladesh, Egypt, Malaysia, United Kingdom and Vietnam

Trial: day-after-day, for 3 days, earlier than departure; video games day-after-day

Distancing: For three days after arriving in Japan, no bodily interactions with athletes and officers from different international locations, together with coaching periods with them.

.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS

Leave a reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here