File image of Fouaad Mirza | ARIEF BAGUS / AFP
An injured horse, a pandemic, a breakout of equine herpes and limited competitions to secure Minimum Eligibility Requirements were the big obstacles that Fouaad Mirza, the first Indian equestrian to qualify for the Olympics since 2000, had to jump over to formally confirm his Tokyo Games berth.
The 29-year-old had clinched a quota late in 2019, but cancelled events due Covid-19 and equine herpes meant he could only complete the Minimum Eligibility Requirements for the Olympics last week at Baborowko in Poland.
Mirza, who won two silver medals at the 2018 Asian Games ending a 36-year-old medal drought, is only the third Indian after Indrajit Lamba and Imtiaz Anees to secure an individual spot in Eventing at the Olympics. Anees was the last to make the cut, at the 2000 Sydney Olympics as a wildcard.
Sania Mirza thanks Rijiju after son, sister get UK visa
ANI
03 Jun 2021, 21:03 GMT+10
New Delhi [India], June 3 (ANI): India tennis player Sania Mirza on Thursday thanked Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for arranging a UK visa for her son and sister in order to help them to travel alongside her. I would like to thank the Union Sports Minister, @KirenRijiju sir Indian Embassies in (UAE and UK), @Media SAI and the British Govt for helping my son Izhaan and my sister Anam get the visa to enable them to travel with me to the UK for the tournaments. Very grateful @PMOIndia, tweeted Sania.
Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is yet receive an internal authorisation letter issued by French Interior Ministry to travel. Neeraj Chopra is expected to participate in six meets in the Czech Republic, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland and London from June 15 to July 13.
Javelin thrower Chopra s departure for France delayed
By IANS |
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Shivpal Singh joins Neeraj Chopra on flight to Tokyo.. Image Source: IANS News
New Delhi, June 2 : Olympic Games bound javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra s European training-cum-competition stint has been rescheduled as the French interior ministry is yet to issue authorisation letter to him to travel, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) said on Wednesday.
As per the original plan, Chopra and his coaching staff were to leave India on Tuesday night. Chopra travel plans to France has been delayed by a few days as India is currently placed as a high-risk country with Covid-19 infection. A person travelling to France requires an internal letter issued by French interior ministry, which is yet to come, a SAI statement said.