Covid threat prompts IOA to request athletes not spend much time in public places

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• Jul 27, 2022 | Poonam Nath

The statement added that the athletes were told to avoid excessive public engagement and to take safety measures where necessary.

Digital Desk: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) released an official statement on Tuesday seeking that the Indian contingent at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games avoids spending too much time in public due to Covid reasons.

"The Indian Olympic Association has requested that the players of the Indian contingent at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games refrain from spending much time in public places due to the threat of Covid-19, which can jeopardize the players' health and participation," according to an IOA release.

The players were also told to keep public interaction to a minimum and to take safety precautions wherever possible, according to the release.

The news comes as two members of the Indian women's cricket team tested positive for Covid and were ordered to return home ahead of the team's opener against Australia in the Commonwealth Games on Friday. The India squad left for Birmingham on Sunday morning without the two players.

According to a BCCI source, "both players can only join the team once they test negative." Given the circumstances, the two players are unlikely to play in the opener against Australia. The second game is on July 31 against archrival Pakistan, and the final league game is on August 3 against Barbados.

India has sent a 321-person contingent to the quadrennial event, including 215 athletes and 107 officials and support staff.

The CWG is set to take place from July 28 to August 8.