Little over 40 Indian athletes to participate in Olympics opening ceremony amid COVID fears

India is being represented by more than 125 athletes in the Games

ITDC INDIA EPRESS/ITDC NEWS R No more than 44 Indian athletes will participate in the Olympic Games opening ceremony on Friday in view of the COVID-19 threat.

The athletes who have competitions lined up the next day have already been told to skip the event. With six officials, the total Indian presence during the march past would add up to 50.

"We won't like to create a situation where our athletes are in danger of getting infected. So a decision has been taken to limit the number of athletes and officials participating in the opening ceremony within 50," Indian Olympic Association secretary general Rajeev Mehta told PTI.

The dcision was taken after a meeting between chef de mission and coaches here this morning.

India is being represented by more than 125 athletes in the Games with the overall contingent size being 228, including officials, coaches, other support staff an alternate athletes in view of the COVID-19.

"Six officials (from every country) are allowed at the ceremony but there is no cap on athletes. However, we have advised the athletes who have events the next day to skip the ceremony and focus on their game," deputy chef de mmission Prem Kumar Verma had said on Wednesday.

The likes of 10m air pistol shooters Saurabh Chaudhary, Abhishek Verma, Apurvi Chandela and Elavenil Valarivan, who have events on the first competition day, will skip the ceremony along with Manu Bhaker, Yashaswini Singh Deswal, Deepak Kumar and Divyansh Singh Panwar will be shooting on the second day.