By Abdul Rahim from Gold Coast, Australia, April 6, 2018: Team India’s weightlifters have been shaken by the absence of their physiotherapist, with athletes forced to try to treat each other at training and between lifts in competition (Aakranth SAXENA).
India is widely tipped to be the strongest nation in the weightlifting at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, but there is unrest within the team amid criticism of India’s sporting officials after physiotherapist Aakranth SAXENA (IND) was denied Games accreditation.
Indian weightlifter GURURAJA said SAXENA flew to the Gold Coast with the team, but was refused entry to the Commonwealth Games Village, as well as training and competition venues, because paperwork for his accreditation was not submitted in time by the Indian Olympic Association.
“I have had a tough time with my recovery and rehabilitation between my lifts due to the absence of our team physio,” GURURAJA said after taking the silver medal in the men’s 56kg class on Thursday 5 April.
“Recovery in the village after training sessions has been a struggle as there have not been proper rehabilitation sessions. Our coaches have tried to compensate for this but the sessions are not as organised or as effective.”
Chanu Saikhom MIRABAI (IND) won the gold medal with three Commonwealth records in the women’s 48kg class on Thursday, but she too expressed her disappointment at not having access to SAXENA.
“Athletes within our weightlifting team have tried to treat each other’s injuries because our physio is not allowed to come into the Games Village or for our competition,” MIRABAI said.
India hurting after team physio refused entry to GC2018 India hurting after team physio refused entry to GC2018
“I have struggled with my recovery due to the absence of my physio.
“Accreditation issues should have been sorted out earlier to enable our physio to be with us.” —- GC2018
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