Lok Sabha Question No. 57 (STARRED), answered on 2016-07-20
Subject: Indian Contingent to Olympics
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: CH. MALLA REDDY, MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVNTHI)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO.57

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 20-07-2016

Indian Contingent to Olympics

- *57.  SHRI CH. MALLA REDDY:

SHRI MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVANTHI):

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is satisfied with the training imparted and the motivation levels of Indian contingent participating in Rio  Olympics and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether adequate precautions/ steps have been taken to ensure Indian food, comforts etc. so that they feel at home and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  concerned  about  the  safety  of  the  Indian contingent participating in the Rio Olympics especially on account of Zika virus and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  the  precautionary  measures  the  Government  is  taking  to  ensure  safe stay of the Indian contingent in Brazil?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

(SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

(a) to (d):   A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT  REFERED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (A)  TO  (D)  OF  STARRED QUESTION  NO.57  TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON  20-07-2016  REGARDING  INDIAN CONTINGENT  TO  OLYMPICS  BY  SHRI  CH.  MALLA  REDDY  AND  SHRI MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVANTHI).

(a): Yes, Madam. Preparations for the forthcoming Olympic Games, which are scheduled to be held from 5-21 August 2016 at Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), are going on in the right earnest. The Government is making every effort to ensure the required training of the sportspersons so that they return with a good haul of medals and make the country proud.

Identified  probable  athletes  and  selected  elite  athletes  have  been provided  financial  assistance  for  their  customized  training  at  Institutes having world class facilities and other necessary support under the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) Scheme, which the Government specifically formulated  and  launched  in  2014  under  the  National  Sports  Development Fund  with  the  objective  of  identifying  and  supporting  potential  medal prospects for Rio Olympics, 2016 and Olympic Games, 2020.

Further, National coaching camps have been organized and competitive exposure has been provided abroad to the identified probables.

As  on  15.7.2016,  the  Indian  contingent  for  the  Rio  Olympics,  2016 comprises  124  sportspersons.  This  is  India's  largest  ever  contingent  for Olympic Games.

- (b): The  Indian  Olympics  Association  (IOA)  has  written  to  the  Rio  2016 Organizing  Committee  for  the  Olympic  Games  requesting  them  to  include Indian  dishes  in  the  menu  of  the  Games  Village for  the  Indian  contingent staying in the  Games Village during the Rio Olympics 2016. The Rio  2016

Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games has agreed to include Indian dishes in their menu of the Games Village. Stay  of  the  members  of  Indian  contingent  including  sportspersons, coaches and other support personnel will be in the Olympic Games village, where all requirements relating to comfort, food, etc., will be taken care of.

(c) & (d): The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports had consulted the Ministry of  Health  &  Family  Welfare  to  give  necessary  advice  about  preventive measures, vaccination or medicines against Zika Virus for members of the Indian contingent. Guidelines  received  from  the Ministry  of  Health & Family  Welfare  on Zika  Virus  Disease,  Zika  Virus  fact  sheet,  Travel  Advisory  and  Dos  and Donts  for  Zika  Virus  Disease  have  been  given  to  the  Indian  Olympic Association (IOA) and Sports Authority of India (SAI) for informing/ advising the sportspersons, coaches and other officials of the Indian contingent who will be visiting Brazil for participation in the XXXI Olympic Games 2016.

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