RIO DE JANEIRO: How bizarre! With just hours to go for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Rio, members of the Indian athletics team are yet to get their ceremonial kit.
They had been assured the kit would arrive on Thursday but until late evening, it did not arrive. According to an official, the explanation given by the Indian Olympic Association was that the kit is yet to reach its destination.
This has jeopardised their chances of participation in the opening ceremony.
Soap opera
Some of the athletes have asked their teammates who were supposed to reach Rio to get soap and other toiletries for them. Interestingly, the Organising Committee here told the national Olympic associations that they would not be providing toiletries
"It’s not that we don’t want to carry any toiletries but usually we are provided with such things at the Games Village so this was quite bizarre," said an athlete.
However, another official felt it was no big deal. "It’s like you have to carry your toiletries wherever you go. So it’s not a big deal," said the official.
But what is even more interesting is that even if you have toiletries there is no place to put them, forcing athletes to use ventilation sills and windows. Some of the bathrooms don’t even have basic amenities and that was quite shocking to them.
"Anyway we have settled down now and are thinking more about our sport than anything else," said one.
Kerala connect
For athletes from Kerala, it’s feast time at the dining lounge. They are indulging in tapioca and coconut fish curry. Even Sreejesh, India’s hockey captain sounds ecstatic when asked about the food.
"Kappa (Malayalam word for tapioca)? Yes, we get it here and most of the food here resembles our cuisine in Kerala. They use coconut oil and milk, just like us and I love the dishes here," he says. "The only difference is it’s not spicy. But I think it is quite nutritious as well." Other athletes too are very happy, tapioca and fish curry being their favourite.