NOC Indonesia Gives Strong Ultimatum, Athletes Positive For COVID-19 Cancel To Tokyo Olympics

Indonesian NOC President Raja Sapta Oktohari and Secretary General Ferry J Kono (Photo: Special)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Olympic Committee (NOC Indonesia) said strict supervision of athletes, coaches and officials participating in the Tokyo Olympics needed to be carried out. Moreover, the most prestigious multi-sports event in the world is rolling out in 21 days.

The Tokyo Olympics will take place from July 23 to August 8 next. To that end, the president of NOC Indonesia Raja Sapta Oktohari gave a strong ultimatum to the national sports federation (PP/PB) regarding the threat of COVID-19.

“Look around us, many relatives and friends have been infected and died. The Olympics are only three weeks away and NOC Indonesia gives a strong ultimatum that all those involved in the Olympics must be monitored closely. Don't let anyone get exposed to COVID-19 and cancel leaving," said Okto, the greeting of Raja Sapta, in an official statement received by the editorial desk, Friday, July 2.

The Olympic Organizing Committee (TOCOG) gave strict rules for all contingents coming to Tokyo, including athletes attending the training camp. The quarantine regulations applied are divided based on the level of COVID-19 cases in the participating countries. Starting in early July, Indonesia entered Group II with Bangladesh, Egypt, Malaysia, Uganda and England.

"That's non-official info because we haven't received an official letter from TOCOG. But what needs to be noted is that the classification of quarantine regulations fluctuates, so we hope that the Jakarta-Bali Emergency PPKM implemented by the government can reduce cases and Indonesia will no longer be in Group II like Vietnam," said Secretary General Ferry J Kono.

The quarantine rules that apply in Group II are that athletes and officials must test for three consecutive days before leaving for Japan. Upon arrival, the contingent is required to limit physical contact with delegates from other countries. This also applies to the team that came first for acclamation.

Meanwhile, during the event, all those involved will be tested for saliva during the first three days after arrival in Japan. After that, TOCOG also implemented routine tests with the duration determined according to their respective roles.

Indonesian NOC President Raja Sapta Oktohari and Secretary General Ferry J Kono (Photo: Special)

Ferry explained that currently there has been no change in the schedule for the departure of the Indonesian contingent to Tokyo. Departures are divided into 5 groups. First, the badminton team which underwent training camp in Kumamoto on July 8, followed by the advance team (July 15).

The third is archery, shooting, rowing, surfing, weightlifting, and swimming on July 17th. The fourth was the President of NOC Indonesia, CdM with the team on July 20, and the last was athletics on July 24.

“Based on that schedule, we actually have provided 5 days of spare so we still have time because the average Indonesian athlete competes on July 24. Even if there is a change, maybe what should be considered is the last batch,” said Ferry.

"Most importantly, we want to make the Indonesian contingent safe when entering Tokyo and being there so that we can provide comfort for everyone, both the local community and all parties participating in the Tokyo Olympics."

The Indonesian contingent led by Chef de Mission (CdM) Rosan P Roeslani amounted to 84 people, of which 54 were athletes and officials and 30 of them were a team of doctors, masseurs, and attaches.

Specifically for athletes, Indonesia dispatched 28+1 athletes who will appear in eight sports (sports), namely badminton (11), archery (4), shooting (1), rowing (2), weightlifting (5), swimming ( 2), athletics (2), and surfing (1+1 alternated athlete).

The Indonesian team for the Tokyo Olympics has the full support of Walls and Li-Ning as main sponsors. Walls is the only company that has consistently supported Indonesia's participation in multi-events since the 2018 Asian Games Jakarta-Palembang. Meanwhile, Li-Ning's commitment to the Red and White Contingent has been running since 2020.