Athletes competing at the Indian Open Athletics Series-6 in Chennai have been asked to report to the stadium as early as 5 am on Sunday due to traffic restrictions surrounding Tamil Nadu Chief Minister-designate C. Joseph Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony, according to a report by The New Indian Express.
Vijay, the president of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), is set to take oath at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai at 10 am. The indoor arena is situated adjacent to the venue hosting the athletics competition, raising concerns overcrowd movement, traffic restrictions and athlete access throughout the day.
The Tamil Nadu Athletics Association (TNAA), organisers of the meet, issued a notice requesting athletes to arrive at the venue several hours before their scheduled events.
“Due to traffic restrictions on the approaching roads to the stadium, the athletes participating in the events of morning session from 7.30 am to 11.30 am are requested to enter the stadium before 6.30 am,” the notice read.
The advisory further stated that athletes scheduled to compete in events between 6 am and 7.30 am should report to the venue by 5 am.
The move is expected to create logistical difficulties for athletes, many of whom would have to begin their pre-event routines well before dawn. Competitors and officials are also likely to face delays because of heightened security arrangements and a surge in crowd movement around the swearing-in venue.
TNAA organising secretary C Latha admitted that the event schedule could be impacted if a large number of athletes fail to reach the stadium on time.
“If there is a large-scale absence of athletes due to the surging crowd, then we may conduct it at a later time,” Latha said.
Several finals are scheduled during the morning session, including the women’s discus throw final at 10.30 am, two women’s 100m hurdles finals at 10.35 am and 10.45 am respectively, and the women’s long jump final at 11.30 am. Five 110m hurdles races are also scheduled between 9.40 am and 10.25 am.
As per the current timetable, the final event of the competition is scheduled to conclude at 8.55 pm.
– Ends
