BENGALURU:
Sharath Kamal isn't perturbed by a waiver that athletes must sign to participate at the
Tokyo Olympics
which has led to a storm of protests across the world.
"We will be well taken care of in Japan. I don't see a problem participating in that country. If the host city had been Rio instead of Tokyo, I would have had my reservations and might have pulled out," the seasoned paddler told TOI.
The waiver mandates that athletes recognise the risks pertaining to
Covid-19
at the Olympics. The risks include impact on the athletes' participation, performance, serious bodily injury or even death, potential exposure to health hazards such as transmission of the virus, the waiver said.
"We signed similar consent forms at the national camps in the country. I don't think it is any different. We have all been vaccinated against the infection. We have also heard of the measures in place in Tokyo to make our stay and participation safe. I don't think it is a worry," he said.
Sharath said his confidence stemmed from the fact that the Games were in Japan. "We know how organised the Japanese are. I can't say the same thing about Rio. It was chaotic out there four years ago. We didn't feel like staying a day extra after our participation was over," he said.
Sharath also pointed out that it was necessary to approach the
Olympics
with a positive frame of mind.
"For the past many months we have been hearing only about Covid and the death and destruction it has caused. In this scenario, the Olympics become an important occasion for us to celebrate. It is not a mere question of our victory or defeat in Tokyo. Participation will lift our spirits, spread cheer amongst people. We need this diversion badly to stay away from all the despondency that Covid-19 has led to."
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