Mirabai Chanu’s historic silver medal in weightlifting lifted Indian athletes’ spirits on the opening day of the Tokyo Olympics. At least for the Indian squad, the sombre mood and heat prevailing around the biggest arena of the Olympic games have not discouraged the weightlifter to satisfy her five years’ appetite for the much-sought-after medal.
Although the games are underway after the opening ceremony, yet the summer soaring temperature has been a little bit disappointing for the sportspersons in carrying the events. The heat has been constraining the players on the ground as the games were declared open in a considerably high 20 degrees celsius environment. That’s why the Japanese are talking about the temperature and the virus.
“How the athletes cope with the humid conditions has been a major topic of conversation in the build-up,” writes The Guardian.
The scorching and sultry sun has been playing its typical hefty part to tease the players amidst the hot weather causing surely pungent impacts. A Russian archer passed out from the heat stress. Meanwhile, it has also been learnt that the Russian players are taking part under the name of Russia Olympics Committee.
Russia was banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in December 2019 for four years from competing in international events, including the Tokyo Olympics and the FIFA World Cup in 2022 respectively. The ban was ordained after new disclosures came up about a doping programme that Russia had been accused of.
There is no stop in weather’s fury as another rise in the temperature cannot be avoided altogether. It is not unlikely that the mercury will strike as high as 32 degrees celsius which will lead to grave conditions there. It hints clearly of a trial for the male cyclists in their gruelling road race on boiling tarmac around Mount Fuji.
Likewise, the hockey players could also feel the pinch of agonizing heat on the AstroTurf of Oi Hockey Stadium following the beginning of the men’s tournament between Australia and Japan. The outcome of the match between India and Australia shows absolute annihilation from Australia as they scored seven goals against India. Only Dilpreet Singh scored the lone goal for India. Manpreet Singh’s men stayed sloppy while taking penalty corners which was noticeable.
The goal difference may turn out to be a large issue but India did not lag in earning a victory against its next match against Spain. A total of three goals against Spain brightens its chance in the group stage.
The Indian team showed their excellence in the forward play and did not miss a goal through a penalty corner. What was lacking against Australia came off right in the second encounter against Spain.
The opening ceremony was not of the usual ilk as was noted by BBC. There was no live doves, no carnival like Rio, no skydiving monarchs like London, but a more sobering reminder that this is a Olympics taking place in a world still facing its toughest challenge of the Coronavirus which is causing chaos in deaths in multiple waves. While looking at the medal table it appears that the USA, Japan, China are changing their tally each day.