Olympics' Covid discount: Expanded squads for hockey, 4 other sports

LAUSANNE: Recognising the unique situation for the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games in view the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has given relief to a few team sports, allowing 'stand-by' or 'alternate' players to be part of certain squads.

This relaxation has been given to hockey, football, water polo, handball, and rugby, whose squads comprised fewer players than that available to them in other international competitions. For example, hockey squads at the Olympics comprise 16 players while at World Cup and other events, they have 18.

Similarly, football teams have 18 players in the Olympics and 23 at other major events, though the 23-member squads don't have standbys. Thus, to make up for the shortfall, teams have been allowed to keep some standby players in the Olympic host city but out of the Olympic village. The Olympics start on July 23.

"This will not increase the number of athletes on-site in Japan, but will give more flexibility to select within the wider squads, recognising the unique situation for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and giving NOCs [National Olympic Committees] maximum flexibility in choosing match squads," the IOC said in a release on Saturday night. IANS

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