Mumbai: Rio-bound Indian Olympians are not worried about the growing number of pullouts for fear of the Zika virus and unrest in Brazil. “We are not worried about Zika virus and unrest. We are used to these things and our focus is to do well at the Games,” said shot-putter Inderjeet Singh.
“So many athletes from all over the world are participating so it isn’t much of a concern. We have to focus on our game and let the authorities worry about those things. I am sure they would have put things in place,” badminton player Kidambi Srikanth said.
Manika Batra sounded a bit bothered but said it wouldn’t affect her much. “We will take all the precautions required,” she said. All the three Rio Bound athletes along with Manu Attri (badminton), Prarthana Thombare (tennis) and national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand were felicitated by their employers, Indian Oil. V.R. Raghunath, Kothajit Singh, S.K. Uthappa (men’s hockey), Achanta Sharath Kamal (table tennis) and Rohan Bopanna (tennis) — could not be present.
