"Psychological Boost" for Indian Olympians

(ATR) Indian luger Shiva Keshavan says India’s Winter Olympians will see a psychological benefit now that they can compete as team India.

Keshavan made the comments in an exclusive interview with Around the Rings on Tuesday at Sochi Olympic Park.

On Tuesday, an adhoc meeting of the IOC Executive Board lifted the suspension of the Indian Olympic Association. The IOA had been suspended since December 2012 for mismanagement and government interference.

He said "the damage has been done" to the team when it was unable to march under the Indian flag at the opening ceremony. Keshavan was also unable to compete as an Indian Olympian.

He and the other Indians competed as Independent Olympic Participants under the Olympic Flag.

Now, the team can participate as the Indian Olympic team.

Keshavan said that will be "a great psychological boost for the athletes."

Two Indians still have to compete in the Sochi Games: Himanshu Thakur in the giant slalom and Nadeem Iqbal in the men’s 15-kilometer cross-country skiing event.

Competing under the Indian flag will be especially important for Iqbal, Keshavan said.

"He is from the army, so he takes these things very seriously."

Keshavan said now he is looking forward to moving on.

"I think it’s important to get down to business and see that there has been some meaningful change. I think that’s what all the athletes in India have been hoping for. We should be very careful and vigilant."

Written by Ed Hula III

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