New Delhi: The six-time world champion MC Mary Komom has decided to join the Indian Olympic boxing team in Italy to avoid additional restrictions on those traveling to Tokyo from here in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mary Kom will depart for Assisi in one or two days to join eight boxers bonded by other Olympics, who will leave for Tokyo from there.
London Olympic bronze-medal is training at Pune’s Army Sports Institute so far for the match starting July 23.
“I have changed my plan.
I have returned to Delhi and will go to Italy maybe tomorrow or daylight.
There is a more stringent quarantine.
Restrictions on those traveling from India.
I want to avoid it,” said Mary Kom Commission 38 years to PTI.
“After practicing so hard, there is no point in taking risks like hard quarantine can solve rhythm,” he said.
He will be accompanied by his personal coach Chhote Lal Yadav and a fisio.
Indian athletes and officials have been requested by the Japanese government to undergo a daily Covid-19 test for a week before their departure to Tokyo and did not interact with anyone from other countries for three days after arrival.
The more stringent rules that have been framed for 10 countries other than India will, however, do not apply to those who will land in Tokyo from training bases such as Italy.
The Indian boxing contingent, who went to Assisi earlier this month, was previously expected to return to India on July 10 and then went to Tokyo a week before the start of the match.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has asked the Tokyo game organizing committee to enable relaxation in the Covid-19 testing protocol, citing the hassle of logistics it will cause athletes and officials before their departure.
The Japanese authorities have refused to reduce the number of pre-departure tests needed but have provided relaxation in medical renewal that athletes must fill online.
“The protocol is clearly difficult to remember the situation and you don’t want additional things to be faced when trying to focus on your performance,” said Mary Komom.
Nine Indian boxers who have previously been unprecedented – five men and four women – have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.