IOA to revise preparation plans

New Delhi, March 25: The Indian Olympic Association on Wednesday conceded that careers of some athletes would be impacted by the postponement of Tokyo Olympics and the IOA would look to address this when it makes revised preparation plans in consultation with the sports ministry.

Like all stakeholders, the IOA on Tuesday welcomed the International Olympic Committee’s decision to postpone the Summer Games, supposed to be held in July-August, to the summer of 2021 owing to the global Covid19 pandemic.

“A one-year postponement might impact the career/ qualification and plans of some athletes, which would be addressed in the coming months and all necessary support would also be extended by us,” IOA Secretary General Rajeev Mehta said in a letter to the IOC and the Tokyo Games organisers without specifying any names.

“I am holding discussions and there would be meetings scheduled with the Federations after the locked-down in India is over. Athletes’ safety is our utmost priority now.

“We would be also be consulting with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in revising the preparation plans,” he added.

While the postponement of the Games has brought relief to the athletes, it has also made some of them uncertain about the qualification process, which was abandoned in most sports due to the deadly outbreak.

RIJIJU WELCOMES TOKYO POSTPONEMENT

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has welcomed the postponement of this year’s Olympic Games to 2021 in view of the worsening COVID-19 pandemic, saying the IOC’s decision has ensured the well being of Tokyo-bound athletes. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday announced postponement of the Games, scheduled for July-August, because of the pandemic which has brought the world to a standstill.

“I welcome the decision of IOC to postpone #Tokyo2020 in view of the global pandemic. It’s necessary for the well being of athletes from across the world,” Rijiju said in a tweet late on Tuesday.

He also assured the Tokyo-bound Indian athletes of government’s full support to ensure that their preparations are not impacted by the current situation.

India was on placed under

Tuesday a 21-day lockdown to contain the spread of the deadly virus, which has caused close to 19,000 deaths worldwide.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected nearly 4 lakh people globally. In India, more than 500 positive cases have been detected so far and the death toll has touched 10.

Earlier, the Indian Olympic Association had also welcomed the IOC’s decision, saying it has relieved the country’s athletes of a stressful buildup during a global health crisis.

The pandemic has forced the cancellation or postponement of almost all sporting events across the world, including the Olympic qualifiers and the European football championships. —

I welcome the decision of IOC to postpone #Tokyo2020 in view of the global pandemic. It’s necessary for the well being of athletes from across the world. — KIREN RIJIJU Union Sports

minister