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THE HINDU DELHI WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020 SPORT 17 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Tokyo 2020 will now be held next year Athletes relieved, says IOA

Japan and IOC take decision with aim to safeguard health of athletes and all involved in the Games Press Trust of India “IOA welcomes the holding meetings with NEW DELHI decision of IOC. athletes, federations, Tokyo was spending some The Indian Olympic Discussions were held by sponsors, etc. to revise SUMMER OLYMPICS $12.6 billion to host the Association (IOA) on IOC with organisers and all plans. Games, according to its latest Agence France-Presse Tuesday welcomed the stakeholders prior to this,” “This decision today, budget, and experts believe LAUSANNE decision to postpone the IOA secretary­general Rajiv relieves our athletes of a postponement could cost it The 2020 Tokyo Olympics Tokyo Olympic Games, Mehta told PTI. worries of having to train some $6 billion in the short­ has been postponed to no la­ saying the country’s now during epidemic and term before recouping it ter than the summer of 2021 athletes have been relieved Meeting perform their best in four when it eventually goes because of the coronavirus of having to train during a “Soon after the lockdown months from now,” he ahead. pandemic sweeping the global health crisis. is over, IOA would be added. globe, the International It will also be a bitter blow Olympic Committee an­ to sponsors and major nounced on Tuesday. broadcasters who rely on the The Games were sche­ four­yearly extravaganza for duled for July 24­August 9, critical advertising revenue. but after telephone discus­ It is not the first time To­ Appropriate decision: Sindhu sions between IOC president kyo has seen unscheduled Thomas Bach and Japanese changes to the Games — it Gopi Chand welcomes move, awaits new guidelines Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a was due to be the first Asian historic joint decision was ta­ country to host the Olympics V.V. Subrahmanyam ken for the first postpone­ in 1940 before pulling out HYDERABAD ment of an Olympics in due to international pressure World badminton cham­ peacetime. over its war with China. pion P.V. Sindhu has wel­ Abe said Bach was in But Tokyo 2020 organis­ comed the decision to post­ “100% agreement” when Ja­ Momentous: A man walks past a billboard promoting the Tokyo Games. The unprecedented, ers point to the unparalleled pone the Tokyo Olympics. complexity — not to mention pan asked the IOC to push but anticipated, decision to postpone the mega event was taken on Tuesday. * FILE PHOTO: REUTERS “I think it was the most back the Games and said the cost — of shifting the Games. appropriate decision given delayed Olympics “held in a of the tunnel in which the poned and the flame will re­ with 1.7 billion people across It is not even clear venues the prevailing critical situa­ complete form will be a tes­ world finds itself at present. main there for now. the planet in lockdown to will be available and tens of tion. tament to mankind’s defeat The move would be a de­ prevent the further spread of thousands of hotel rooms “The organisers have of the new virus”. Flame to stay in Japan vastating blow for Tokyo, COVID­19. will need to be cancelled and shown concern for the the In a joint statement, the “Therefore, it was agreed which had won widespread rebooked. health of every one involved pair said that based on cur­ that the Olympic flame will praise for its organisation, Preparations affected by not going ahead with the rent World Health Organiza­ stay in Japan. It was also with venues finished well Training has become impos­ Logistical issues original schedule,” Sindhu tion information, the Tokyo agreed that the Games will ahead of time and tickets sible for many athletes and Squeezing in the 16­day told The Hindu on Tuesday. Wait to continue: Gopi and Sindhu arrive in Hyderabad after

Games “must be resche­ keep the name Olympic and massively oversubscribed. exposes them to the risk of Games into what will already “Athletes should be pre­ the latter’s silver-winning show at 2016 Olympics. * FILE PHOTO duled to a date beyond 2020 Paralympic Games Tokyo The Olympics, which has contracting or spreading the be a hugely crowded 2021 ca­ pared for unforeseen deve­ but not later than summer 2020,” the statement experienced boycotts, terro­ disease. Competitions and lendar is another major hea­ lopments. Now, with the duct the Games given the and the new qualification 2021, to safeguard the health concluded. rist attacks and protests, but qualifiers have been dache, with arguably the two Games officially postponed, uncertainty shrouding the norms. Whether they will of the athletes, everybody in­ Bach later said he did not has been held every four scrapped, while internation­ biggest sports, swimming naturally we will have to re­ situation. Athletes would go ahead with the existing volved in the Olympic Games discuss new dates with Abe years since 1948, would be al travel is severely limited. and athletics, due to hold plan our preparations. But, have found it extremely norms or not,” Gopi said. and the international and the exact dates is a ques­ the highest­profile event af­ On Sunday, the IOC had their World Championships first, let us all hope that the challenging to make it to the community”. tion for the Tokyo organising fected by the virus that has initially given itself a dea­ that summer. situation improves global­ Games if they were to be More time, new challenges “The leaders agreed that committee and an Interna­ killed thousands and closed dline of four weeks to come However, World Athletics ly,” added Sindhu. held as per the original “Yes, the move also gives the Olympic Games in Tokyo tional Olympic Committee sports competitions up with a proposal to post­ has already said it was pre­ Chief badminton coach P. schedule in July. the coaches and athletes could stand as a beacon of panel overseeing the worldwide. pone the Games, a Hercu­ pared to shift its World Gopi Chand also welcomed “I don’t know what kind time and at the same time hope to the world during preparations. The IOC has come under lean task that touches on ev­ championships, scheduled the decision. of impact it (the postpone­ new challenges too,” said these troubled times and The torch relay, due to increasing pressure in recent ery aspect of Tokyo 2020 for August 6­15 next year in “I welcome this very ment) will have on badmin­ Gopi, who is in self­isolation that the Olympic flame could start on Thursday from the days to postpone the Games, planning from venues to se­ Oregon, to accommodate the good decision for it would ton players, for first we have on return from the All En­ become the light at the end Fukushima, will be post­ scheduled to start on July 24, curity to ticketing. move. have been difficult to con­ to know the BWF guidelines gland championship. Life always comes first: Mary Kom Tough, but smart move: Paes COVID-19 IMPACT Shayan Acharya Paes said every aspect Bajrang donates salary in Indian stars concur that well­being of athletes is paramount MUMBAI had to be considered before fight against pandemic India’s tennis ace Leander taking such a tough call. NEW DELHI Star wrestler Bajrang Punia has Press Trust of India Paes has termed the deci­ “It’s a very tough decision donated his six months salary NEW DELHI sion to postpone the Tokyo to take, because millions towards fight against the Life comes first, sport can Olympics a ‘smart move’. and millions of sporting coronavirus pandemic. “I have wait. This was the collective Paes, who won a bronze commerce goes into the donated my six months’ salary view of India’s top Olympic­ at the Atlanta Olympics in Olympics. Given the effort towards relief fund for bound athletes, including 1996, told The Hindu that it the Olympic movement COVID-19 patients set up by M.C. Mary Kom and Saina was the right call. takes to run the Games, it Haryana Chief Minister M.L. tweet. He also called upon Nehwal, as they lauded the “The Olympic movement was a hard decision,” Paes Khattar,” Punia, who works people to make contributions Games’ postponement on stands for good health and is said. with the Railways as an officer towards the “Haryana corona Tuesday. about the global community In December last year, on special duty (OSD) said in a relief fund.” IANS “The situation right now coming together. At a time Paes had announced that is not good. Life always like this, when the corona 2020 would be his farewell Senior National (BAI) said on Tuesday. “We have badminton put on hold put on hold the 84th senior comes first, everything else pandemic has touched al­ year from tennis and he NEW DELHI Nationals and 75th inter-State can wait. Players’ safety is Mary. * FILE PHOTO: VIVEK BENDRE Bindra. * FILE PHOTO most every corner of the wanted to sign off after fea­ The 84th senior National inter-zonal in light of the paramount. Everyone who world, including Tokyo, full turing in the Tokyo Games. badminton championship, coronavirus outbreak. We have took this decision factored We are eager to know what “We were prepared for credit to the Olympic com­ On his plans following the scheduled to be held in advised the state secretaries the qualification (process) Olympics. We were ready this in. I think it’s good,” said mittee for postponing the postponement, he said: “My Lucknow from April 27 to May not to book any ticket for the would be like going ahead.” but what do you do when so­ * boxer Mary Kom. Games,” Paes said. team and I are evaluating.” Leande Paes. FILE PHOTO 3, has been put on hold, Lucknow event,” BAI secretary India’s only individual mething like this happens. Saina, who was racing Badminton Association of India Ajay Singhania said. PTI against time to qualify for Olympic champion Abhinav It’s beyond control,” grap­ Tokyo, said, “happy that it’s Bindra welcomed the deci­ pler Ravi Dahiya said. Bayern Munich and other the economic impact of the postponed even though sion and stressed on the Shooting fraternity hails decision Bundesliga clubs coronavirus, media reports some of us haven’t qualified. need to immediately sus­ Hockey coaches’ view take pay cuts said Tuesday. Bild reports that pend training camps and Indian men’s hockey coach Santadeep Dey Abhishek Verma, who has BERLIN players and club officials at guard the athletes in the Graham Reid said the team CHENNAI self­quarantined at his Chan­ Footballers at Germany’s top champions Bayern, currently wake of the pandemic. is gutted by the postpone­ The Indian shooting team digarh home, said: “This is teams, including Bayern on top of Bundesliga, have Wrestler Bajrang Punia ment but understands the has welcomed the postpone­ an important decision keep­ Munich, have agreed to take accepted a 20% in their pay cuts to help clubs survive salaries. Bayern has a massive said training had been gravity of the health crisis. ment of the Tokyo Games. ing the public interest in wage bill which reached €336 thrown haywire and the Apurvi Chandela, who mind. It was necessary to en­ “It is very disappointing million last year, almost half of postponement is welcome. that the Olympics will not go has been training at her own sure public safety. All the club turnover. Players at “It’s a good decision be­ ahead, but given the unpre­ shooting range at home, said countries will be able to par­ Borussia Moenchengladbach cause everyone is disturbed. cedented circumstances fac­ she was taken aback by the ticipate in full swing next were the first in the Athletes’ health is para­ ing the world at present it is decision. She, however, said year.” Bundesliga to propose a pay mount. No one is training totally understandable and this doesn’t affect her prepa­ Manu Bhaker, though dis­ cut. Borussia Dortmund and properly. We first have to expected,” Reid said. The rations. “We have to look at appointed by the decision, Bayer Leverkusen players are save people from this epi­ view was shared by women’s our preparations and stay echoed the shooters’ in talks over pay cut proposals

Ravi Dahiya. * FILE PHOTO: PTI demic,” said Punia. team coach, Sjoerd Marijne. Apurvi. * FILE PHOTO focused.” “health above all” opinion. with management. AFP DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

THE HINDU CROSSWORD 12892 (set by Arden) SUDOKU FAITH Log on to crossword.thehindu.com for more puzzles 12 Hope everyone can suppress 4 It will slither and stop on discontent (5) tarmac (7) Importance of Acharyas

13 Bag of tricks — grabbed it, 5 Subject of King's ascendancy — Alavandar’s Stotra Ratnam is about Lord Narayana. But it getting ultimate thrill (4,3) they say ‘Ayes’ have it (7) begins with worship of Acharya Nathamuni. In a work about 15 Image exposed — nice and long the Supreme One, how can one begin with praise of an (4) 6 Communicate as per home Acharya, we may ask. The answer lies in the fact, that with­ design (9) out an Acharya, there is no way we can attain moksha. 18 Hard to check vehicle daily (4) It is his guiding hand that shows us the right path, said Va­ 7 Perhaps later allowed new 20 He gets a bird on flight (7) layapet Ramachariar, in a discourse. Milk has a natural growth overhead (6) sweetness. But add some jaggery, cardamom and saffron to 23 Only role of abstractionism in it, and it tastes even better. Similarly, worshippin g God be­ painting (2,3) 8 Complaint with business software he has acquired (6) comes even more delightful, when it goes hand in hand with 24 Landlord will glance around worship of an Acharya. If we are present in a temple, when before entering empty room 14 Unkempt, hairy — task for him an Acharya does a mangalasasana of the deity, then is not initially (9) is to fight (9) our joy doubled? Paying obeisance to one’s Acharya pleases 26 Used for divining friend’s the Lord. But is there any precedent for such worship? Sage secret, reportedly (9) 16 After drink understood he’s a Maitreya fell at the feet of sage Parasara, and aske d for ad­ man of God (8) vice. Parasara then told him the Vishnu Purana. So Alavan­ 27 Well earned, no odds on this dar is only following what had already been the practice, animal (5) 17 Butted in, but perhaps didn’t namely paying one’s respects to an Acharya, when one stop offensive (8) seeks knowledge about Bhagavan. 28 One breaking a contract is a Solution to puzzle 12891 Solution to yesterday’s Sudoku fool (3) An Acharya is put on a pedestal — Acharya devo bhava — 19 Automatic turnaround for ■ ACROSS an Acharya is equal to God. Chandogya Upansihad says 29 Free, in case trade is contributor (7) Acharyavaan Purusho Vedah, that is, only a man who has an 1 Regular pain to intercept call established (11) Acharya has proper spiritual understanding. So, we can see sign for bloodlines (11) 20 Endless plea by painter (7) that the Sastras lay stress on Acharya bhakti. Only with Ach­ 7 Money with Charlie remains (3) ■ DOWN 21 Move on with a ticket (6) arya’s help, we can understand Vedantic texts. And the 9 In general has adequate capital 1 Disaster — one on the run beauty is that a person who has studied under an Acharya, (5) through London, say (8) 22 Everyone's sunk low, Tom also comprehends that which has not been taught to him. It 10 Maybe Sellers accept a buck — may not be possible for a sishya to study all literature. His 2 Support not the growth of goes for vote (6) that’s a factor (9) Acharya may teach him only a few. But when he later on marine creatures (8) 11 Show displeasure with a cafe 25 Purge the opponent, finally reads whatever has not been taught, he still is able to under­ (4,1,4) 3 Climber gets a fix up (5) there’s change (5) stand the meaning, because of Acharya’s grace.

CM A ND-NDE YK