The Indian Tokyo-bound athletes are in confusion over Tokyo Olympics departure date after the IOA message. Two days back, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Narinder Batra had announced that the first batch of athletes would depart on July 17. But recently, the athletes and national federations have received a Whatsapp message saying the first batch may depart on July 14, subject to clearance from the Tokyo Olympics Organising Committee.
The message was signed by Batra and IOA secretary-general Rajeev Mehta. According to Tokyo guidelines, the athletes must have the RTPCR COVID-19 test done seven days before their departure for Tokyo 2020. An official from the archery federation informed the Times of India, “We haven’t received official communication from the IOA about the departure plan yet.”
They added, “If our archers are leaving on July 14, they must get their RTPCR test started from July 7. If they depart on July 17 then it would be three days of extra tests. These are complicated times and proper planning was required. It is not just about boarding the plane, there are so many formalities that need to be addressed.”
The TOI also had tried to contact Batra but messages and calls went unanswered. The Tokyo Olympics will start from July 23 to August 7. Yet the departure plan is not fixed for Indian-bound athletes. Athletics competitions are beginning from July 30 and the track and field coaches are not expected to leave in the first batch.
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