This Is How Coronavirus Is Impacting Indian Sports And Pre-Olympic Preparations

While countries across the world are coming to grips with the health calamity caused by Coronavirus outbreak, sporting events and pre-Olympic preparations have been massively effected as well.

There are now more than 80,000 confirmed cases of the virus across the world and the death toll has crossed 2,700 - majority of which are from mainland China. With the virus becoming a worldwide epidemic, the list of sports affected by the virus will only rise.

The alarming rate of cases around the world has also put Indian sports in jeopardy. The pre-Olympic camps and tournament participation overseas has been hit and sports federations are taking no chances.

There are also fears Tokyo 2020 may be impacted but organizers insist preparations are going ahead as planned.

Here is a list of the how Indian sports has been hit by the Coronavirus outbreak.

1. Indian women's team pulls out of Badminton Asia Championships

BWF

The Indian women's team pulled out of the Badminton Asia Championships which was being held in Manila, Philippines due to the risk of infection. While the men did take part, the women's team pulled out because the players' parents were concerned.

2. Indian shooters' pre-Olympic camp in Italy cancelled

IANS

The Indian shooting federation dropped Italy as a training venue for its shooters' and also cancelled plans to set up a pre-Olympic base in South Korea following the Coronavirus outbreak.

The rapid spread of the virus in places like Italy, Iran and South Korea in recent days has also compromised the sporting landscape. The Indian shooting contingent was expected to hold its base before the Olympics in Italy, but that has now been cancelled.

National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) is not risking players and has called off the plan.

3. Coronavirus Kept Chinese wrestlers from participating in Asian Championships in New Delhi

Reuters

While India won a rich haul of 20 medals at the recently concluded Asian Wrestling Championships, but the tournament wasn't concluded without controversies.

Much before the tournament began, 40-strong Chinese contingent, which included 29 wrestlers, was supposed to be part of the tournament, but they were denied visas due to Coronavirus threat.

It led to the tournament being ripped off of many tough competitors from the neighboring country who could have added more flavour and flair to the event.

4. The great escape! Indian boxing contingent is flown out of Coronavirus hit Italy

AP

With the Coronavirus cases jumping to 400 in Italy, it was virtually a great escape for the Indian boxers training there in Assisi. The contingent (13 boxers and 10 support staff), which is scheduled to fight in the Olympic qualifiers in the Jordanian capital of Amman from March 3, left Italy and reached Germany on February 27.

The team full of star names including M.C. Mary Kom and Amit Panghal, were flown out of Italy, where the virus is fast spreading, leading to major sports league matches being postponed or played behind closed doors.

5. ISSF International Solidarity Championships postponement affects Indian archers' preparations

AFP

Archery is one of the India's strongest disciplines and much is expected of country's archers at the Tokyo Olympics. But Coronavirus has put the preparations in troubled waters with International Solidarity Championship in Bangladesh being postponed.

While the archery World Cup which was slated to be held in May in Shanghai has been cancelled.

6. India women's hockey tour of China cancelled

AP

Indian women's hockey team was supposed to continue their preparations for the Olympics with the tour of China. With the country fighting its worst health calamity in years, the tour has rightly been called off.

7. World table tennis team championships in South Korea postponed

IANS

The World team championships which were to be held in Busan, South Korea, have been postponed from May 22-29 to June 21-28. It means Indian players like Sharath Kamal and Manika Batra will have to wait longer than usual for the championships.