Pullela Gopichand Opts Out Of Tokyo Olympics

Indian Badminton Legend Pullela Gopichand, who guided the country in winning two Olympic medals in the last two editions, will not be taking part in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. He has opted out of India’s Olympic-bound badminton contingent to accommodate space for Indonesian Agus Dwi Santosa, who is the trainer of singles shuttler B. Sai Praneeth.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) decided to send only five-members support staff, which includes three coaches and two physios. This time, PV Sindhu is getting trained under Korean coach Tae Sang Park and Praneeth is being trained under Santosa. Chirag and Satwik are being mentored by Denmark’s Mathias Boe. All these four shuttlers will represent India in this edition of the Olympics.

Speaking to the PTI, Badminton Association of India (BAI) General Secretary Ajay Singhania said, “With just one quota available, Gopichand decided to opt-out in order to ensure Santosa could be accommodated who has been training with Sai (Praneeth) since the pandemic.”

As players try to prefer their own coaches, Gopichand decided not to go this time. The final list of the Indian badminton contingent will comprise nine members, who will be – four players, three coaches, and two physios Sumansh Sivalanka and Evangline Baddam (female).

Due to the COVID-19 protocols, IOA decided to allow only a 33% quota to the support staff, and officials traveling to the Olympics cannot be more than one-third of the athlete.

Under Gopichand’s guidance, Saina Nehwal won the bronze medal in the 2012 London Olympics and PV Sindhu claimed the silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics.