India at Olympics 2020 LIVE updates, predictions & analysis: COVID-19 outbreak grips Games Village as Indian team begins practice in Tokyo

Swimming contingent trains together

The three Indian swimmers - Maana Patel, Srihari Nataraj and Sajan Prakash - had a joint-training session on Tuesday.

While Maana Patel and Srihari Nataraj flew from New Delhi, Sajan Prakash joined the duo with his coach Pradeep from Dubai.

The three swimmers, under the watchful eyes of their coaches, had a training session in the pool on Tuesday.

The swimming events start on July 25.

Srihari Nataraj, Sajan Prakash and Maana Patel (PC: SAI)

Indian swimmers with their coaches in Tokyo. (PC: SAI)

Indian shooters sweat it out, literally

Indian shooters got down to practice at the Asaka Shooting Range in Tokyo and were sweating it out, literally.

In what came a surprise reality check, the air conditioning in the 10m rifle and pistol hall wasn't working as well as it should be. It was extremely hot in Tokyo, and the shooters were feeling the heat even inside the arena.

Indian coach Ronak Pandit was spotted pressing chilled water bottles, like ice-packs, to various parts of his body.

Day one of Indian shooting team's training in Tokyo

Mary Kom gets down to business

India's celebrated boxer Mary Kom has started her preparations in Tokyo. She was seen practicing and posing for pictures during an intense training session ahead of the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

The 38-year-old will be participating in her second Olympics.

Mary Kom poses after what seemed to be an intense training session. (PC: SAI)

Mary Kom during a training session in Tokyo. (PC: SAI)

Getting down to business: India's celebrated boxer Mary Kom at a training session in Tokyo.
Video: SAI#Olympics #Tokyo2020 #TokyoOlympics2020 #TokyoOlympics #Boxing #MaryKom #India #boxer #OlympicVillage

Follow live updates 👇https://t.co/XWI34CLYEm pic.twitter.com/KRdc8ZPbfT
— Hari Kishore Malladi (@journomalladi) July 20, 2021

One for the memories

The Indian hockey women's team pose for group pic with the Olympic rings after a warm-up session in Tokyo on Monday.

Sajan Prakash reaches Tokyo

After a long travel from Dubai, Sajan Prakash and his coach Pradeep have reached Tokyo Narita Airport, a little while ago.

After finishing all mandatory formalities, including a COVID-19 test, the duo will head to the Olympic Games Village. Sajan will hope to get some good rest before commencing his training.

Compatriots Maana Patel and Srihari Nataraj had their first training session in Tokyo on Monday.

Sajan Prakash and coach Pradeep at the Tokyo Airport on Monday. (PC: SAI)

Bhavani Devi leaves for Tokyo from Italy

India's sabre fencer CA Bhavani Devi, who was training in Italy, for the Tokyo Olympics 2020 is on her way to Tokyo. The athlete posted a picture of her at the airport in Italy ready to board a flight to Tokyo.

Bhavani Devi is India's first fencer to qualify for the Olympics. She qualified via the Adjusted Official Ranking (AOR) Method in the Fencing World Cup in Hungary.

Bhavani Devi prior to her departure to Tokyo. (PC: Bhavani Devi)

More COVID-19 cases - US Gymnast tests positive

Some grim news coming in from Tokyo. News agencies are reporting on one more suspected positive COVID-19 case from the USA Gymnastics team. The gymnast tested positive on arrival at Tokyo's Narita Airport on Monday.

Another team member who was identified as a 'close contact' of the gymnast has been placed 'on standby', as per reports.

Swimmers are in action

Indian swimmers Srihari Nataraj and Maana Patel have hit the poolside for a training session.

Both the swimmers are making their Olympics debut and are looking forward for a successful stint.

India's third swimmer, and the first to qualify, Sajan Prakash left Dubai for Tokyo and is expected to join the duo on Tuesday.

Maana Patel and Srihari Nataraj after a training session. (PC: SAI)

Maana Patel is all smiles ahead of her training session. (PC: SAI)

Srihari Nataraj poses before his training session. (PC: SAI)

Coronavirus continues to wreak havoc

Czech beach volleyball player Ondrej Perusic has returned a positive COVID-19 test at the Olympic Village in Tokyo on Monday.

Indian hockey women's team hit outdoors

After a long travel from Bengaluru - New Delhi - Tokyo, the Indian women hockey team hit the ground on Monday for a warm-up session.

The Indian women hockey team has created a record by becoming the first Indian women's hockey team to qualify for successive Olympics. Earlier, the Indian team had played at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics after a gap of more than three decades.

The team led by Rani with Deep Grace Ekka and Savita Punia as her deputies are aiming to reach the knockouts as their first short-time goal.

Indian women hockey team at a warm-up session.

The Indian women hockey team warming up. (PC: Hockey India)

Gymnast Pranati Nayak starts training

India's lone gymnast at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 Pranati Nayak has started training in Tokyo.

The Indian gymnast, with coach Laxman Manohar Sharma, commenced her training on the vault on Monday. Going by their happy faces, it looks to be a fruitful session for Pranati Nayak.

Pranati Nayak with her coach after training. (PC: SAI)

Opening ceremony, Theme and mascot for the Tokyo Olympics 2020

The opening ceremony for Tokyo Olympics 2020 will start at 8 pm local time in the Tokyo Olympics stadium (4:30 pm Indian Standard Time).

The theme for the Tokyo Olympics 2020 for this year’s Olympics and Paralympics is "United by Emotion". The theme reflects the unifying power of sports.

The mascot of Tokyo Olympics 2020 is named Miratoiwa.

More details on the opening ceremony, the medals, the theme and more below.

Tokyo Olympics 2020 opening ceremony: When and where to watch, theme, live streaming details in IST

Dutee Chand confident ahead of Tokyo Olympics

India's star sprinter Dutee Chand is extremely confident of a successful Tokyo Olympics 2020 sojourn.

"I was a bit nervous at the Rio Olympics. As I had never competed against these international brand of athletes. But it's going to be different in Tokyo. I have experience this time," Dutee Chand told Sportskeeda in an exclusive interview.

Dutee Chand is the third Indian to feature in the 100 meter event at the Olympics.

Read on to find out more on how Dutee Chand is preparing for the big Games, her targets and more.

"I've taken a lot of risks due to COVID-19" - Dutee Chand opens up about her Tokyo Olympics qualification journey

Three COVID-19 cases detected on Monday

The fear of COVID-19 wreaking havoc on the Olympics increases day by day. On Monday, one Olympics concerned personnel and a contractor were among three positive cases detected.

This comes a day after three sportspersons, two of them staying at the athletes Village, tested positive for the virus.

The Games concerned personnel is based in Chiba while the contractor is based in Saitama.

The third COVID-19 positive case is of a journalist, who has travelled for the event, and was under a 14-day quarantine in Tokyo.

Breakfast time..#TokyoOlympics2020 #Cheer4India pic.twitter.com/UVXx75qUmh
— M C Mary Kom OLY (@MangteC) July 19, 2021

Sindhu - Sai Praneeth get into the grind

Indian badminton stars PV Sindhu and Sai Praneeth have gotten into training mode. The duo were seen in an intense practice session with coach Park Tae Sang.

Earlier, Sai Praneeth warmed up with a gym session, running on a threadmill.

Sania Mirza - Ankita Raina depart for Tokyo

Indian tennis stars Sania Mirza and Ankita Raina have departed for Tokyo from Hyderabad where the duo have been training at the Sania Mirza Tennis Academy.

Sania Mirza and Ankita Raina will take part in the women's doubles event.

Hyderabad Airport officials, airline staff, coaches and fans gave the duo a warm send-off.

Sania Mirza and Ankita Raina at Hyderabad airport.

Sania Mirza and Ankita Raina ahead of their departure to Tokyo. (PC: SAI)

WATCH: Sathiyan and Sharath Kamal's first training session

Destination Tokyo 🗼

4 Days To #Tokyo2020!

Training Session | Day 1

Watch our Indian paddlers @sharathkamal1 & @sathiyantt in action at their first session in @Tokyo2020 Games Village#Cheer4India @PMOIndia @ianuragthakur @NisithPramanik @WeAreTeamIndia @ttfitweet @PIB_India pic.twitter.com/I08murJkvP
— SAIMedia (@Media_SAI) July 19, 2021

India's Husband-Wife archery pair ready for Tokyo Olympics

Atanu Das and Deepika Kumari started training in Tokyo. The archery team arrived in the host city on Sunday. The mixed pair will begin their Olympic campaign on July 23.

Good morning from India. It is just less than 5 days to Tokyo Olympics and the Indian contingent is slowly settling into the Olympic Games Village. The shooters - India's biggest medal hopes - were out on a practice session in Tokyo while the likes of Mirabai Chanu have also been preparing for the big event. Follow the LIVE blog for everything you need to know about the Indian team at Tokyo Olympics.

#TokyoOlympics2020 pic.twitter.com/JVsYZcdCPL
— TheAtanuDas (@ArcherAtanu) July 18, 2021

Tour of the Games village where Indian team will stay

The Indian contingent has started making Tokyo their home for the next two weeks of the Olympics. Sportkeeda takes you on a tour of the Games village where the contingent will stay.

Tokyo Olympics 2020: Inside the Games Village where Indian team will stay

Pooja Rani gets explores the boxing hall

Boxer Pooja Rani, on the other hand, decided to visit the Kokugikan Arena Boxing hall. India's boxing contingent arrived in Tokyo on Sunday.

TT player Sathiyan excited to be in Games village

Paddler Sathiyan Gnanasekaran is enjoying every moment of his maiden Olympics. The paddler shared pictures of his first training session at the Nakano Training arena. He says "it is very good and feel great to be here."

Let’s get started😍😁
Our First training session at the Nakano Training arena🔥😍 pic.twitter.com/sXwOhUq5kZ
— Sathiyan Gnanasekaran (@sathiyantt) July 19, 2021

Manu Bhaker and Indian shooting team first training session in Tokyo

The Indian shooting team resumed their training today. Everyone was seen in action except Saurabh Chaudhary. The shooting event will begin from July 24 with the 10m air pistol and rifle disciplines.

Sajan Prakash leaves for Tokyo

After Srihari Nataraj and Maana Patel left for Tokyo from New Delhi, India's third swimmer and the first to qualify for the Games, Sajan Prakash has departed for Tokyo from Dubai, where he has been training.

Sajan Prakash was accompanied by his coach Prakash and the duo would reach Tokyo on Monday.

In December 2019, Sajan suffered a career threatening injury, where a slip disk on his neck started radiating towards his left arm. He recovered and finished rehab within the span of a few months.

“I had to start from scratch, I had to work on the basics. We had to work on many things but thanks to everything coming together, today I have made it," Sajan Prakash had told Sportskeeda in an interview earlier.

We hope Sajan Prakash can make it count at Tokyo!

Sajan Prakash and coach Pradeep at Dubai Airport prior to their departure to Tokyo. (PC: SAI)

Training with the best in business

India's Vishnu Saravanan seems to have had a fruitful training session on Sunday.

The Indian sailor took to the seas and trained with some of the best sailors and competitors ahead of the Olympics. Clear waters, blue sky dotted with clouds and the best training partners was how Vishnu Saravanan's company throughout the day was!

International news with great consequences:

BREAKING: Eight members of Team Great Britain have been identified as close contacts of someone (non British) who tested positive for COVID on a flight into Japan - six athletes and two staff members on the athletics team. The Team GB members are now self isolating in their rooms after having earlier tested negative. Now under close supervision. (Source below)

BREAKING Eight members of Team GB have been identified as close contacts of someone (non British) who tested positive for COVID on a flight into Japan - six athletes and two staff members on the athletics team. #Tokyo2020
— Tom Parmenter (@TomSkyNews) July 18, 2021

Gagan Narang lauds Indian shooters' mindset

London Olympics bronze medallist Gagan Narang lauded the change in the mindset of the current crop of shooters and said he was expecting a very good Tokyo Olympics sojourn for them.

"In our time, in our early days, we would first think about making the finals, then playing in the next Games, but this squad is thinking of winning medals. This is a strong team and I am very hopeful of a good outing from our shooters," Gagan Narang had said.

Elavenil Valarivan is Gagan Narang's most celebrated protégé and the shooter has completed seven years of training under him.

Sania Mirza and Ankita Raina step it up

Indian tennis stars Sania Mirza and Ankita Raina have completed their training stint in India before departing for the Tokyo Olympics.

The duo, along with other tennis players and coaches, were honing their skills at the Sania Mirza Tennis Academy in Hyderabad.

They will leave to Tokyo shortly.

Saina Mirza and Ankita Raina with coaches and players at the Sania Mirza Tennis Academy in Hyderabad on the last day of their practice. (PC: SAI)

Soaking in the atmosphere

Weightlifter and India's medal hopeful Mirabai Chani is definitely enjoying Tokyo. The athlete recently tweet a photo from the Olympic Village in front of the rings.

#Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/aapkNxI1fH
— Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu) July 18, 2021

Stunning view of the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo

The Tokyo Olympics 2020 is just a few days away and the city is all decked up to welcome athletes and officials from all over the world.

What are your first thoughts when you think of Olympics? The medals, the athletes, the host city, the opening ceremony.....there are a lot of emotions that are attached to the prestigious quadrennial Games.

While you get thinking about the first thought of Olympics, enjoy a bird's eye view of Tokyo city and the host stadium for the opening ceremony.

PC: Tokyo Olympics 2020

A bird's eye view of Tokyo and the stadiums!

Indian contingent to stay in Tower 15, three-day quarantine in force

The Indian contingent has been allotted 182 rooms in Tower 15 of the Olympics Games village. A mandatory three-day quarantine will be in force for all the athletes.

Tower 15 also houses athletes and officials from Copenhagen, South Africa, Norway and Belgium.

There is a special focus on Indian diet and athletes can check the amount of protein, carbohydrate or fat present in their meal before eating.

The Tokyo Olympics 2020 Games Village is equipped with a state-of-the-art gym and a training facility as the athletes are barred from leaving the premises.

More details in the link below.

Tokyo Olympics 2020: Inside the Games Village where Indian team will stay

Picturesque views

The Indian athletes have been greeted with panoramic views from the Games Village. Indian athletes are soaking into the stunning views of the Tokyo Bay from the balconies of the Games Village.

こんばんは from @Tokyo2020 Olympic Games athletes village!#Tokyo2020 @WeAreTeamIndia @IndiaSports pic.twitter.com/ZfLpbhB7Mw
— Sharath Kamal OLY (@sharathkamal1) July 18, 2021

India at Olympics: Athletes start checking into the Games Village

After a long flight from New Delhi to Tokyo Narita Airport and after completing all procedures, including mandatory checks, the Indian contingent have slowly started checking in into the Games Village.

After possibly a rest day, the Indians are touted to hit the training early tomorrow.

Mary Kom arrives at the Games Village. (PC: SAI)

PV Sindhu and Sutirtha Mukherjee with officials at the Games Village. (PC: SAI)

India’s Tokyo Olympics-bound shuttlers 🏸 and hockey players 🏑 have landed! 🛬🇮🇳#Tokyo2020 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/M9S4ycDThO
— #Tokyo2020 for India (@Tokyo2020hi) July 18, 2021

India at Olympics 2020: Rowing team takes part in first training session

The Indian rowing team comprising Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh had a taste of their first training session in Japan on Sunday. Clear blue skies, clear waters welcomed the Indians and by the looks of it, both Arjun Lal and Arvind Singh seem to have had a satisfying outing.

The duo cleaned their boats and would be gunning to get more practice under their belt before the Olympics begin.