Bindra calls to suspend training camps after Games postponement

India's only individual Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra on Tuesday welcomed the decision to postpone the Olympic Games and stressed on the need to immediately suspend training camps and guard athletes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abhinav Bindra. Photograph: Norma Godinho/Rediff.com

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday postponed the Tokyo Games to no later than the summer of 2021 owing to the dreaded coronavirus outbreak, which has so far killed 16,000 people and infected close to 4,00,000 globally.

"Now that the scenario around the Tokyo Games is clear, it is paramount to Safe Guard Athletes, suspend training camps immediately and make athletes feel like contributors to the community by being socially responsible. Their health and of those around them is what matters," Bindra tweeted.

"To all athletes - stay safe and healthy now that's the best you can do for yourself and your country. When we all rise we will be behind you all even more. And your achievement will mean everything!," he added.

Pressure was mounting on the IOC and the Tokyo organisers to postpone the Olympics with Canada and Australia making it clear that they will not be sending their teams to the Games.

United States also proposed the deferment of the Olympics and New Zealand Olympic committee also had supported the move.

The Coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China, has brought the whole world to a standstill, forcing cancellations or deferments of tournaments and leagues like the NBA, EPL and La Liga.