Coronavirus shadow looms over Olympics as NRAI chief, IOC member express concerns


Coronavirus shadow looms over Olympics as NRAI chief, IOC member express concerns

WhatsApp Image 2020 01 27 at 14.03.26

Indian shooters might not participate in the Olympic test event scheduled to be held in Tokyo from April 16-26 amid coronavirus fears.

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NRAI president Raninder Singh said that the team will not be sent if the IOA, ISSF or the Indian embassy in Tokyo advice against travel to the city, even though the team has already been selected.

“We have chosen our test event team but we are yet to decide. I’m not going to risk anyone of those kids. If we feel or receive any advice from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) or the international federation, our own mission in Tokyo, it isn’t worth the risk,” National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) president Raninder Singh said on Wednesday.

“We are not allowing our shooters to travel overseas to train as well due to the virus. If a shooter is infected in the test event than we are subjecting him or her to the gravest of danger and then that shooter won’t be able to participate in the Olympics, hampering our chances of winning a medal,” he added.

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The shooters have not been allowed to go abroad for training either due to the virus outbreak. The novel coronavirus, which originated in China, has spread to other countries as well, including Japan, South Korea, and Italy among others.

Meanwhile, IOC member Dick Pound has warned that the 2020 Olympics themselves could be cancelled if the spread of the virus is not controlled. He said that a decision could be made till late May.