OLYMPICS

Tokyo Olympics is scheduled to begin on July 23 after a year-long delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This is the first time that the Olympic Games have been postponed and rescheduled, rather than cancelled. The opening ceremony of Tokyo Olympics 2021 will take place on July 23 

•India is sending its largest ever contingent of 228 members, including 127 athletes. But athletes from seven sports, including shooting, badminton, archery, and hockey, will skip the opening ceremony because of covid fears, leaving about 30 in attendance. According to a 21 July report by The Times of India, Haryana and Punjab are leading the way for the country at the Games, with 31 and 19 participants, respectively. Tamil Nadu is sending 11 athletes, while Uttar Pradesh and Kerala are sending 5 athletes each.

The foremost among the contenders are 15 shooters, Mirabai Chanu in weightlifting, and the archery team led by world number one Deepika Kumari. The boxers are another set of big contenders with world number one Amit Panghal and six-time world champion M.C. Mary Kom in the ranks. In wrestling, Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat seem likely to win. P.V. Sindhu may win her second Olympic medal.