India’s first batch of Olympic-bound athletes will leave for Tokyo on July 17, IOA president Narinder Batra revealed on Thursday, expressing disappointment over the Games’ organizers refusing to allow them to check in earlier. .
The IOA wanted the first batch of athletes and officials to leave on July 14 and serve a three-day mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Tokyo. More than 120 athletes are bound for the Games.
But in a letter to Kate Yonayama, Regional Manager (Asia and Oceania, NOC Relations) of the Tokyo Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (TOCOG), Batra wrote with the necessary approvals, still pending, leaving the IOA no other option. was left. To send the first batch on July 17,” Batra said.
He, however, did not specify the number of crew that would leave on July 17.
The IOA chief wrote, “…Since we have not received the necessary clearance from TOCGG, we are coordinating the departure of the Indian contingent on 17 July 2021 and arrival in Tokyo on 18 July 2021.”
“We are extremely disappointed that our request has not been accepted. However, given the medical protocol imposed on India for 7 days prior to departure, we now have no other option but to depart on 17th July and arrive on 18th July.
In view of the raging COVID-19 cases, the Tokyo Olympics will be held in Japan from July 23 to August 8 under a state of emergency without spectators.
In his letter, the IOA chief has also sought some other clarifications such as protocols related to pre-opening services like transfer from airport to sports village, feeding of athletes, test kit distribution flow, and accommodation of athletes/support staff.
He has also sought an advice on laundry services during the three-day quarantine period.
Indian athletes who are training abroad, such as boxers and shooters, will be exempted from the stringent rules for those coming from high-risk COVID-hit countries such as India.
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