Seema Antil, one of the country's top discus throwers, reached London early (July 14) so that she could get used to the climatic conditions. But she failed to gain entry to the Games Village, which opened for the athletes on Monday. Reason: She is yet to receive her Olympic accreditation card, without which she cannot enter the Village or train at the competition venue.
Seema, who has been training in the US, had informed the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) of her London schedule in advance. "I had mailed the federation that I would be reaching London on July 14 and would enter the Village on the opening day," Seema told HT from London. "Had the Mittal Trust not intervened, I wouldn't have got a place to stay," she added.
The AFI had enough time to get her accreditation card ready as Seema had earned the Olympic qualification mark 'A' standard in March.
When contacted, AFI president, Adil Sumariwala said, "We got her accreditation card from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) yesterday (Monday) and she will get it by tomorrow (Wednesday). We've informed her from where she can collect the card."
"We called Seema and gave her the deputy chef-de-mission's cell number, who is already present in Village, and told her that she can gain entry after coordinating with him," said an AFI official. "The AFI sent us the names (of athletes) late. But her card has been made and handed over to the federation. The four-member doctors' team will be taking her card to London tomorrow (Wednesday)," said Vijay Kumar Malhotra, acting president, IOA.
{{/usCountry}}"We called Seema and gave her the deputy chef-de-mission's cell number, who is already present in Village, and told her that she can gain entry after coordinating with him," said an AFI official. "The AFI sent us the names (of athletes) late. But her card has been made and handed over to the federation. The four-member doctors' team will be taking her card to London tomorrow (Wednesday)," said Vijay Kumar Malhotra, acting president, IOA.
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