Olympics 2021: Tokyo Olympics to go ahead as scheduled, say CDMs | Tokyo Olympics News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The postponed Tokyo Olympics 2020 will go ahead as scheduled despite fresh fears from increasing Covid-19 cases among the participating athletes in the Village and Games related officials, reiterated the chef-de-missions (CDMs) of all 206 competing nations in their meeting, where it was also decided to send reduced numbers of contingent members to the opening ceremony on Friday.
The CDMs, in their daily briefings, also put a cap on the numbers of officials who can attend the opening ceremony. “Only six officials per contingent will be allowed. This has been done to minimise the risk of getting Covid-19 infection,” a source informed TOI.

India’s chef-de-mission B P Baishya and other contingent members have been deliberating sending reduced numbers of athletes to the ceremony, which will see the six-time world champion boxer, M C Mary Kom, and national men’s hockey skipper, Manpreet Singh, leading the contingent as flag-bearers. The decision will be taken in consultation with top IOA officials, who have arrived in the Japanese city for the Games. A total of 127 athletes across 18 sports disciplines have qualified for the Olympics from India.
On Wednesday, the British Olympic Association (BOA) decided that only 30 out of 376 from their Games contingent will be part of the opening ceremony at National Stadium.
At the meeting, the CDMs discussed the Covid-19 situation in the Village and its likely impact on the Games, but decided to support the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the organising committee (OC) in their decision to continue with the Games in a “safe and bio-secure” environment. While the officials didn’t deny that there’s some degree of panic among the athletes with daily new Covid-19 cases being reported from the Village, the spirit and excitement of participating in a challenging Games environment have trumped such fears, they feel.

The athletes are being tested daily, with strict adherence to social distancing and wearing of masks inside the Village and during training sessions. However, despite best efforts, Covid-19 cases continue to rise among athletes.
On Tuesday, Tokyo 2020 OC head, Toshiro Muto, had told reporters that he wouldn’t rule out cancelling the Games even at this stage. But, as per the host city agreement between the IOC and Japanese government, only the former can cancel the event and it has no such intentions right now.