Tokyo Olympics 2020: First batch of Games-bound Indian athletes given formal send-off by Sports Minister Anurag Thakur

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday gave a formal send-off to India’s first batch of the Tokyo Olympic-bound athletes from eight disciplines at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Thakur was accompanied by Minister of State for Sports, Nisith Pramanik, Sports Authority of India Director General Sandip Pradhan and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) officials, including President Narinder Batra and Secretary General Rajeev Mehta. “When you go to represent the country at the Olympics, it is not just an important moment for you but for the whole country. This has been possible because of your discipline, determination and dedication and that is why you are here representing Team India," said Thakur when he addressed the athletes. “I am sure when you are going to be on the field, when you are going to be participating, you will be there with your full energy, determination and motivation. As PM Modi said, please go with a free mind. 135 crore Indians are with you, their good wishes and blessings are with you,” Thakur added. A contingent of 88 members, which includes 54 athletes besides support staff and IOA representatives, departed for the Japanese capital on Saturday night to participate in the COVID-hit Tokyo Games, which will begin in a week’s time on 23 July. The eight disciplines comprised archery, badminton, table tennis, hockey, judo, gymnastics, swimming and weightlifting. Hockey, consisting of both the men’s and women’s teams, is the largest among all disciplines. The hockey teams were accorded a warm reception on entering the IGI terminal, with airport staff clapping on both sides as they walked through. India’s lone weightlifter in fray, Mirabai Chanu, reached Tokyo on Friday from her training base in St Louis, USA. Chanu was accompanied by national coach Vijay Sharma and assistant coach Sandip Kumar, while another assistant coach Pramod Sharma left from the national capital along with the first batch. The boxers have left from Italy while the shooters reached Tokyo on Saturday, after completing a long training-cum-competition stint in Croatia. India will be represented by a 228-strong contingent, including 119 athletes, at the Tokyo Olympics, which will be held under strict health protocols and without spectators in the wake of the raging pandemic. Four Indian sailors — Nethra Kumanan and Vishnu Saravanan (laser class), KC Ganapathy and Varun Thakkar (49er class) — were the first from the country to reach Tokyo from their training bases in Europe. They started training on Thursday. The Indian shooting contingent checked in at the Games Village on Saturday. Besides, the rowing team has also reached Tokyo, while the boxing contingent has left from its training base in Italy and is scheduled to reach the Japanese capital via Amsterdam on Sunday morning.