TOKYO 2020: 'There Can’t Be Any Discrimination' With Indian Athletes Says Sports Minister

India's Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said that a formal complaint has been registered and action will be soon taken. The Indian contingent feels that they are been discriminated against.

(File Photo/ Getty Images)

New Delhi: The Indian Olympic Committee was furious with the decision of the Japanese government to have a different set of rules for the Indian athelets. The players from the India team that are bound to leave for Japan to play the Tokyo Olympics 2020 will require to undergo RT-PCR tests every day for eight days before leaving for Tokyo. On reaching the Japanese capital the Indian players will be in isolation for three days. 

This has left the IOC fuming. India's Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said that a formal complaint has been registered and action will be soon taken. The Indian contingent feels that they are been discriminated against. But in the same interaction, he also said that the Olympics are happening under "challenging circumstances". 

 “…as per the Olympic charter there can’t be any discrimination with any country. Any discrimination has to be addressed,” Rijiju said in online interaction with media.

“I have asked the IOA to register a formal complaint with the Tokyo organisers which they already did. We will strongly raise any issue which affects our athletes preparation and chances. The Olympics are happening under challenging circumstances, it’s a challenge for everybody,” he added.

Tokyo has already banned fans from abroad to enter the city. Only Japanese fans would be present during the games. They will have to comply with all the social-distancing norms. The people at the stadium will have to wear a mask at all times. 

“…our priority is to ensure safe and secure environment for the training and participation of our athletes. We have to ensure that our athletes are not in any mental stress,” Kiren Rijiju said.

The IOA recently announced that there will be 10,000 people allowed at venues of Toyo 2020. This received a negative reaction from Japanese civil society as well as from medical experts of Japan. 

 

 

(With inputs from PTI)