TOKYO, January 25: Shiva Keshavan's entry in the Nagano Winter Olympics Village was not smooth as the 16-year old reportedly lacked "necessary documents from his country"."Now I am in trouble. But I hope the documents will be faxed in a few days so I can stay in the village," a Japan Times report quoted Keshavan -- the lone Indian participant in the Games -- as saying.
The organisers, however, told PTI in Tokyo over phone that Keshavan was in the village, which was opened for athletes yesterday for the Games starting on February 7. Neither Keshavan nor any Indian official who may have come with him, could be contacted and India's participation in the Olympics was also officially not announced.
Agency Nihon Keizai Shimbun, in its report said Keshavan was the first foreign athlete to arrive at the Village gate. After making several telephone calls at the organisers' office, it was revealed that Keshavan, unaccompanied by any official, reported alone at the Village and was given a room, the report
said.
The organisers also gave a fax number to which one can send messages for Keshavan. The Japan Times report from Nagano, a 90 minute bullet-train ride from Tokyo, also said some other athletes found the procedure far from smooth.
The Nagano Olympic Village has been built over an area of 19 hectares of farmland to be home to 3,000 athletes and officials from around 70 countries, including India. There are 1,032 apartments in 22 buildings. Most occupants should share a room with colleagues from their countries, while a few are to get independent rooms.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
