Indian flag hoisted at Olympic Village

Mangalore Today News Network/The Hindu

New Delhi, July 24, 2012: The Indian national anthem was played and the tricolour hoisted at the Games Village much to the cheer of the athletes, coaches and officials in London on Sunday.

It was a formal welcome ceremony for the Indian contingent and was attended by the hockey players, boxers, archers, shooters and tennis players.

The Indian contingent was overwhelmed by the “warmth and positive energy’’ in the atmosphere and the acrobatic performances of the National Youth Theatre, according to a report from the IOA in London.

 

The Deputy Chef de Mission of the Indian contingent Brig. P.K. Muralidharan Raja exchanged mementos with the Games Village Mayor Charles Allan, and pledged India’s unstinted support for spreading the gospel of Olympic movement.

 

Athletes happy

Brig. Raja stated that the athletes and officials were happy with the preparations and the regular meetings with them had fetched positive feedback.

It was mentioned that four doctors, Dr. Sarla Rao, Dr. Sanjogita Soodan, Dr. B.B. Nayak and Dr. Abhishek Choudhary, and three physiotherapists, Ramesh Trivedi, Harishankar Varma and Srikant Iyengar, were taking care of the requirements of the Indian athletes round the clock.

In addition, attempts were being made to have dedicated masseurs for the Indian athletes from the gym at the Games Village, whose services were otherwise being availed on appointment.

Meanwhile, Asian Games gold medallist and World Championship bronze medallist, boxer Vikas Krishan exuded confidence about his readiness to win at least “three rounds to ensure a medal’’ in the 69 kg category.

“I have so far taken part in seven international competitions since 2007 and have won five gold and two bronze medals,” Krishan said.
Krishan thanks God

Thanking God for being in his favour, Krishan said, “luck has been with me. God has been very kind to me. I have seen more hard working boxers sitting out. I am one of the lucky boxers on the planet to be here for the Olympics.”

Equally confident was weightlifter Soniya Chanu who hoped to improve upon her career-best lift of 175 kilograms on the opening day of competition on July 28.

“We have 14 lifters in the 48 kg section. From Asia, there are two each from Thailand and Japan, and one from China,” said the 32-year-old Chanu, even as she highlighted that making the cut was in itself an achievement but that she was not content with that.

Coach Hansa Sharma also asserted that Soniya, strong physically and mentally, would lift her best in competition.

“She will give her best performance. Whether that will be enough for the podium finish, I can’t say,” said Hansa Sharma.
Denial justified

PTI reports from London

Meanwhile, Allen asserted that India was not the lone country, whose request to defer the welcome ceremony, was turned down.

“Yes, we do understand why the Indian officials wanted their welcome ceremony at the Olympic Games Village to be put off for a few days to enable more athletes to arrive in London,” he said, asserting that all such request were had been turned down by the officials.

India had requested for a postponement closer to the July 27 Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games, but was asked to kindly stick to the original schedule drawn up.

“We are allowing no changes to the schedule. Several countries want their ceremony moved and that would have disrupted the entire programme,” the Olympic Village’s Mayor said, adding that most nations were keen to have their ‘Welcome Ceremony’ moved to the same cluster of dates.

“It would have become a very crowded schedule if such changes were permitted. I am sure the Indian delegation would understand why such requests were not being allowed,” Sir Charles Allen said.

Logistic problems

He said the organisers had to look at a number of logistic problems if such changes were allowed, and not the least of those problems was the fact that the young artists performing at the ceremony were already working extra hours.

India had sought the postponement specifically to allow a larger contingent to be present at the function, a fact that was clear when just 35 members of the contingent — featuring very few athletes — were present at the flag raising ceremony.