Tokyo Olympics: Indian Athletes Won't Face Entry Restrictions,IOA Chief Assures

Indian Olympic Association President Narinder Batra assured that Indian athletes will be permitted to participated in the Tokyo Olympics.

Many questions regarding the participation of Indian athletes at the Olympics have been raised. This is after Japan decided to restrict the entry of people coming in from India, Nepal, Pakistan, due to the rise in COVID-19 cases there.

Narinder Batra went on to clear these doubts and said that all the accreditated athletes and officials (210 people) have been vaccinated and that they will not come under any restriction. He also assured that all the protocols will be followed by the Indian contingent.

"Yes, we will also follow all the protocols that have been put in place. Athletes and para-athletes have been vaccinated. And about 90-odd officials have also been vaccinated out of which some have also got the second shot. We have met the vaccination protocol, 24 hours before the departure we will also do the RTPCR tests," said Narinder Batra. He also assured that all the accreditated officials and Indian athletes will be there for the Tokyo Olympics.

Cancellation of sports events are political decisions, not sporting ones

Batra then spoke about sports tournaments being cancelled at various places, due to the rise in COVID-19 cases. He said that nothing much could be done, as such decisions are political ones and not sporting ones. He then added that he does feel for the athletes, but unfortunately, nothing much can be done to change the situation.

Narinder Batra Says Indian Athletes Don't Have To Worry About Anything

Lastly, Batra added that he wants the Indian athletes to start focusing on their preparations, as the Tokyo Olympics is just two months away. He signed off by saying that athletes won't be stopped and that they need not worry about anything.