The Tokyo Olympics was scheduled to take place last year, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it could not be hosted and was postponed. Now finally, the Tokyo Olympics is about to be held from 23rd July to 8th August.
India is going to send nearly 200 athletes, coaches and support staff to compete in the Tokyo Olympic Games 2021. IOA (Indian Olympic Association) president Narinder Batra had now confirmed that all the people going to the Olympics will be fully vaccinated by the start of July.
Batra said: “We had requested that all the national sports federations get their athletes vaccinated even though the IOC (International Olympic Committee) says it is not mandatory. But we want our athletes to be safe and they should also be safe for others.”
It has been reported that half of the contingent has been partially vaccinated, while the other half has already received both doses.
“So by the first week of July the entire contingent — athletes plus officials — should be double vaccinated,” he added.
Batra further added on the Indian team kit sponsor issue: “We went by the public opinion that was formed on social media after that (kit unveiling). If we could find a sponsor before the end of June when things will need to close, then we will have one. Otherwise, it remains unbranded.”
“Our athletes have been going on in their bio-bubbles or wherever they are training overseas. So there’s no effect on our medal prospects and how we feel — that is, double digits. I expect the men’s team to definitely win a medal, and I call the women’s team a dark horse as they can be world beaters on any day,” he said.
The Indian men’s team is the most successful in Olympic history as they won eight Olympic golds, but have not finished in the final four since 1980. Whereas, the women’s team has not won a medal since the sport became an Olympic event in 1980.
