New Delhi, July 8: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Thursday confirmed that the Olympic-bound contingent would leave for Tokyo on July 17. The IOA had sent in a request to the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (TOCOG) to seek further clarifications regarding their arrival in Tokyo. The Japanese government has put in new regulations which will not allow the Indian athletes to physically interact with anyone from another team, delegation or country for three days on arrival.

"Since we have not received the necessary approvals from TOCOG hence we are now coordinating for the departure of the Indian contingent to now depart from India on 17 July 2021 and arrive in Tokyo on 18 July 2021. We are extremely disappointed that our request has not been approved, however, given the medical protocols imposed on India for the 7 days prior to departure we have no other option now, but than to depart on 17 July 2021 and arrive in Tokyo on 18 July 2021," the IOA wrote to TOCOG on Thursday. Tokyo Olympics 2020: A Look at India’s Gold Medallists in the Olympic Games.

In the letter, the IOA also put down various questions like can a coach attending with a different delegation get access to support the Indian athlete?

"However with reference to our earlier discussions regarding the departure of athletes after their competition finishes and that flights to India are limited and in some case, the athletes/support staff may not be able to departure the village within 48 hours of the conclusion of the competition. In these specific cases will we also be required to submit a "Period of Stay Exemption Request Form" with the request to allow the athletes/support staff to remain in the village until flights are available," asks the IOA in its letter.

Earlier, ANI had reported that the Indian Olympic-bound contingent would leave for Tokyo on July 17. The Tokyo Olympics will be held from July 23-August 8 this year. The event was supposed to go ahead last year but it was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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