'Athlete's Worst Fear comes true', Vinesh Phogat comments on postponement of Tokyo Games

New Delhi, March 26: Post announcemnet of postponement of the Tokyo Olympics 2020 due to rising pressure on International Olympics Committee (IOC) in the wake of COVID-19, the Commonwealth Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat said the postponement was her "worst fear" which had come true and the extended wait is going to be tougher than competing at the Games.

 

 

When the 26-year-old came to know about the news she was deeply disappointed. "This was every athlete's worst fear and it has come true. Everybody knows that competing at the Olympics is the toughest test for an athlete but I believe waiting for an opportunity to be on that stage is tougher. I don't really know what to say right now but inside me, there is a roller-coaster of emotions," she said on Twitter.

 

The disappointment was understood for the Asian Games gold medallist because in the Rio Olympics she had to cut her journey in an early-round due to an injury that was hurtful for her as well as for India as many hopes of a gold medal were hanging on her.

 

 

Vinesh was preparing to hit hard for Tokyo Games 2020 too after she had qualified for the Games when she ended up being on the podium in world championships last year.

 

However, Vinesh said further, "This is a very crucial time for the world and the greater sporting fraternity. Though I am very deeply disappointed, it is more important than ever to see the silver lining in this dark cloud. Now is the time for all of us to be stronger than ever, keep fighting these extraordinary circumstances and believe with all our might that we will overcome this challenge. We need to summon all our reserves of determination, refocus, and work towards our goals."

 

The Indian wrestler added, "While there is more to this chapter, a new story is already being written, but we will overcome. We are all together in this, one world, one goal. This is that unique chance to do something for your family, your community, your country, and our world.

 

On Tuesday, the IOC after having talks with Japan's PM Shinzo Abe agreed to reschedule the event until 2021 but before the summer of 2021 as many qualifiers were either being canceled or postponed in the wake of the virus outbreak. Along with many National Olympic Committees were opposing the IOC for not postponing the event.

The pandemic has claimed over 20,000 lives across the world while infecting over 425000 people so far.