Page 38 - 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Tokyo 2020: Fan ban proves Olympic safety pledge, says IOC president Bach

IOC president Thomas Bach says Olympic fans will not be forgotten despite having to make the difficult decision to ban spectators at the Tokyo Games.

Roger Federer pulls out of Tokyo Olympics owing to knee problem

Tennis icon Roger Federer on Tuesday announced that he is pulling out of the upcoming Tokyo Olympics owing to a knee injury. The Olympics, in which on-site spectators will not be allowed owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, are scheduled to be held in the Japanese capital from July 23 to August 8. In a statement, he said that he had "suffered a setback" with his knee. Federer announced the news on Twitter saying that he is "greatly disappointed" on missing out on an opportunity to represent Switzerland in the world's biggest sporting spectacle. "During the grass court season, I unfortunately experienced a setback with my knee, and have accepted that I must withdraw from the Tokyo Olympic Games," Federer said in the statement. "I am greatly disappointed, as it has been an honour and highlight of my career each time I have represented Switzerland," he added. Federer won the silver medal in men's singles at the 2012 London Olympics and gold old in men's doubles at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Top headlines: S&P keeps India's rating at BBB-; PM interacts with athletes

S&P affirms India's sovereign rating at 'BBB-', keeps outlook stable

Ronak, Oleg, Samaresh among 7 shooting coaches bound for Tokyo

Ronak Pandit, who has been training medal prospect Manu Bhaker for past six months, Oleg Mikhailov and Samaresh Jung are among the seven coaches travelling with the Indian shooting squad

PM Modi combines humour with sincerity in interactive session with athletes

Modi sought to make the athletes feel at ease before they leave for the Tokyo Games, where expectations from them will be high.

'Reflection of new India': PM's message to athletes headed to Olympics

He said all possible help has been extended to them through the government's target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).

PM Modi wishes Indian athletes luck before they leave for Olympic Games

PM Modi also spoke to the parents of Sindhu and lauded them for backing their daughter during her journey to success.

Indian tennis players question lack of information on Olympic cut-off list

Unsure of their participation at the Tokyo Olympics, India's tennis players are "confused" about the criteria that has been adopted for finalising the entries

Explainer: How will the coronavirus emergency affect the Olympics?

A virus state of emergency began Monday in Japan's capital, as the number of new cases is climbing fast and hospital beds are starting to fill just 11 days ahead of the Tokyo Olympics

IOA ropes in start-up for mental well-being of Olympic-bound athletes

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Monday announced partnership with Dhyana, the meditation-tracking start up, to work for the mental well-being of the country's Olympic-bound athletes.

Anurag Thakur chairs high-level meet to review India's Olympic preparation

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday chaired the first review meeting after taking charge of his ministry as he took stock of India's preparation for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

Neeraj Chopra confident of Tokyo performance despite disrupted preparations

Despite his preparations being disrupted by an injury and Covid-19 restrictions, star Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is confident of putting up his best performance at the Tokyo Olympics

Govt will stand with Olympic players, try to provide facilities: Pramanik

Union Minister of State (MoS) for Youth Affairs and Sports Nisith Pramanik said that the Centre is confident that our sportspersons will play to bring glory to India

Olympics: Tokyo under fourth state of coronavirus emergency from today

The measure will last throughout the Olympics and end on August 22

World Coronavirus Dispatch: A fight of survival for world's best nightclubs

Tanzania sees 300% rise in infections, Tokyo volunteers and anticipating fans suddenly have nothing to do, and other pandemic-related news across the globe

Tokyo Olympics: Spectators also barred from outlying venues amid Covid

All fans from abroad were banned months ago.

Be prepared for long wait at Tokyo airport on arrival: IOA prez to athletes

IOA President Narinder Batra highlighted fresh concerns that India's Olympic-bound athletes may face on arrival in Tokyo, including spending long hours in immigration without food and water

First batch of Indian athletes to depart for Tokyo Olympics on July 17: IOA

First batch of India's Olympic-bound athletes will depart for Tokyo on July 17, IOA President Narinder Batra said while expressing disappointment at organisers' refusal to allow them to come earlier

Tokyo Olympics: Sindhu, Praneeth get easy draws; task for Chirag-Satwik

Rio Games silver medallist and reigning world champion P V Sindhu and B Sai Praneeth have been handed easy draws for the Tokyo Olympics beginning July 23. While Sindhu has been seeded sixth and drawn in Group J of women's singles, Praneeth was seeded 13th in Group D of men's singles competition. World no 10 men's doubles pair of Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy will be competing in Group A. Sindhu will face Hong Kong's world number 34 Cheung Ngan Yi and Israel's Ksenia Polikarpova, ranked 58th, in the league stages, while Praneeth will have to go past world no 29 Mark Caljouw of Netherlands and Isreal's Misha Zilberman, ranked 47. Chirag and Satwiksairaj, however, were handed a tough draw which was announced by BWF on Thursday. The Indian duo will have to compete against top seed Indonesian pair of Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and Marcus Fernaldi Gideon, Chinese Taipei's world no 3 Lee yang and Wang Chi Lin and England duo of Ben Lane and Sean Vendy, ranked 18th. In the singl

Hashimoto: Tokyo Paralympics could still see some fans

Tokyo Olympic organizers are holding out hope that the Paralympic Games might allow some fans. Organizers and the International Olympic Committee on Thursday banned all fans from Olympic venues in Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures because of surging COVID-19 cases. A smattering of Olympic venues in outlying areas of Japan will allow some fans. Fans from abroad were banned several months ago as too risky. Organizing committee President Seiko Hashimoto, speaking at a Friday briefing, said a decision on Paralympic fans would be made after the Olympics close on Aug. 8. The Paralympics open on Aug. 24 and will involve 4,400 athletes. The Olympics involve 11,000. A state of emergency imposed by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga goes into effect on Monday and ends on Aug. 22. After the Olympics Games close as soon as possible we would like to make a decision," Hashimoto said. Because if it's postponed any further it will impact the preparations for the Paralympics. Tokyo reported 8