Kitless Indian athletes face Sochi exit
16 Jan 2014 5:18 AM IST
Two Indian athletes could be forced to pull out of next month’s Sochi Olympics because promised state funds for kit and equipment have not been released, India’s Winter Games chief said on Tuesday.
Winter Games Federation of India (WGFI) president Surendra Singh Patwal said time was running out for two of India’s three competitors who each need about $7,500 to take part in the Olympics.
‘Each equipment has to meet Olympic specifications. We do not get them in India, they have to come from abroad. Unless the funds come, we can’t even place orders for clothing and equipment.
Besides, our athletes need time to train with the new equipment and there is hardly any time left. We were due to be in Sochi by 4 February for the Games starting 7th. We do not get sponsors. So unless the government gives us funds, we may have to withdraw at least two of the three qualifiers,’ Patwal said.
Funding is the latest blow for the athletes who were earlier this month deprived of competing under the national flag in Sochi. Luger Shiva Keshavan, preparing for his fifth Winter Olympics, was safe since he has raised money through sponsors for his equipment. But the fate of the two other qualifiers, alpine skier Himanshu Thakur and cross-country skier Nadeem Iqbal, rested on getting the money in time. IOA last month bowed to pressure from IOC to keep tainted officials out of key posts.
Winter Games Federation of India (WGFI) president Surendra Singh Patwal said time was running out for two of India’s three competitors who each need about $7,500 to take part in the Olympics.
‘Each equipment has to meet Olympic specifications. We do not get them in India, they have to come from abroad. Unless the funds come, we can’t even place orders for clothing and equipment.
Besides, our athletes need time to train with the new equipment and there is hardly any time left. We were due to be in Sochi by 4 February for the Games starting 7th. We do not get sponsors. So unless the government gives us funds, we may have to withdraw at least two of the three qualifiers,’ Patwal said.
Funding is the latest blow for the athletes who were earlier this month deprived of competing under the national flag in Sochi. Luger Shiva Keshavan, preparing for his fifth Winter Olympics, was safe since he has raised money through sponsors for his equipment. But the fate of the two other qualifiers, alpine skier Himanshu Thakur and cross-country skier Nadeem Iqbal, rested on getting the money in time. IOA last month bowed to pressure from IOC to keep tainted officials out of key posts.
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