Athletes to train in Rio from a month before Olympics

A contingent of Indian athletes who are set to take part in the Olympics can spend a month in Rio to build a base to assure better acclimatisation and no hangover from jet lag before the 2016 Olympics.

The Union sports ministry has decided, in a recent meeting, to do away with the rule of sending the contingent only two days before the start of any major international event.

This will allow athletes to stay and train there a month before the 2016 Games begin on August 5. The ministry, it as been learned, has entrusted the Indian embassy in Brazil to arrange for the stay and scout training locations for athletes who would like to prepare for Games in advance by travelling to Rio a month before.

At London 2012 and prior Olympic games, the Indian contingent travelled to the host city in batches as per their event schedules.

According to a ministry official “We got feedback from athletes that reaching the venue two or three days before the event is not enough to get used to the conditions. So we have decided that if the federations wish to, we can send the athletes to the host city up to 30 days in advance so that they get enough time to prepare themselves before their events,”.

“Earlier, we used to send athletes just two days before the event. The amended policy will now be applicable to major international events, which include the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.”

The ministry points out that the huge difference between India and Brazil might be an important factor during the Games.

“If the players land in Rio a day or two in advance, they will be tired and suffering from jet lag. From our end, we want to give them the option and benefit of reaching early and get accustomed to the local conditions,” the official added.

The embassy in Brazil has already pressed into action, with all necessary arrangements being made by defence attache Captain Atul Deswal. A delegation consisting of officials from the sports ministry, Sports Authority of India and the Indian Olympic Association will be on ther way to Rio soon to confirm the training venues.

The Olympic Village will be officially opened only 10 days before the opening ceremony on August 5, though the atheletes have the permission to stay in the Village once the Games get underway.

“Till the time the athletes’ village is opened, the ministry will look after the stay for the athletes. It is an expensive affair but we are not looking at the cost factor,” the official said.

India is expected to send its biggest-ever contingent next year, with more than 100 athletes estimated to qualify for the Games. At the London Olympics, India had 83 competitors in 13 sports. So far, 57 Indian athletes have qualified for the Games in five disciplines — archery (4), athletics (12), hockey (16 men and 16 women), shooting (8) and wrestling (1). The number is set to increase as and when the qualification events take place.

Our comprehensive list of all athletes who have qualified for the Olympic Games so far here

Coaches’ salaries have also been hiked.

The chief coaches associated with the national teams will see a three-fold hike in their salaries, the ministry has decided. Indian coaches will receive paycheques of Rs 1.5 lakh per month instead of the Rs 50,000 that they currently receive.

The salary of other coaches too has been raised from Rs 30,000 to Rs 75,000 per month. In other incentives to sportspersons, the amount for senior, junior and sub-junior competitions has been revised to Rs 5 lakh, Rs 7 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, respectively, which had previously been only Rs 2 lakh in each category.