Kolkata: India`s medal prospects in archery will have a conditioning camp in Gangtok beginning May 16, to acclimatise with the prevailing cold conditions in London, where the Olympics Games are scheduled to take place from July 27-August 12.
The camp assumes utmost importance for the men`s team that would take the last shot to earn Olympic berths when they compete at the World Cup Stage III, to be held in Ogden, USA from June 18-24.
The women`s team of Deepika Kumari, Laishram Bombayla Devi and Chekrovolu Swuro, who have already earned Olympic quota places, are not competing in the World Cup Stage III and would train till the Olympics, Indian archery coach Poornima Mahato told PTI.
In the men`s team, only Jayanta Talukdar has sealed a berth for the sporting extravaganza.
The men`s team consists of Talukdar, Tarundeep Rai and Rahul Banerjee.
"The conditions in Gangtok would be similar to that of London so it would help the archers. Even the weather in Ogden where the men`s team would compete is quite similar," Mahato said.
"The weather in London would be quite cold and breezy. I`m sure the camp in Gangtok would help us."
The high altitude, cold weather training would be a first for the archers who had been camping in Kolkata for more than three years.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, May 09, 2012, 20:09