With almost two months remaining for the Tokyo Olympics 2020, an event that has already been rescheduled due to the global pandemic, there are now fears of the sporting extravaganza getting completely scrapped. 


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As per fresh development, campaigners in Japan have submitted a petition with over 3.5 lakh signatures arguing the Summer Games to be cancelled, thus putting a toss on athletes' fate, who have been eagerly waiting to make a mark in the quadrennial event. 


However, Indian paddler G Sathiyan, who will be taking part in his first Olympics in Tokyo if everything goes according to the plan, feels both the Japanese government and the International Olympic Committee will come up with what's best going ahead. Instead, the Asian Games medalist chooses to remain aloof from these thoughts as no one has any control over the current situation.       


"I'm looking at things that are in my control at this point of time and avoid getting into these kinds of discussions or talks, which affect your preparation and mental part," Sathiyan told zeenews.india.com. 



Sathiyan, who on Saturday donated 1 lakh to Tamil Nadu CM's Public relief fund, is also confident that India will fight the pandemic just like the country have fought other hardships.  


"It is a very deadly wave and since I lost my father a few years back so I know how it feels to lose loved ones in our family. This is a situation when everyone needs to be together and follow all the protocols. We have always faced innumerable difficulties and hardships and we've come through it and I'm sure in few weeks or months India will fight this as well," added Sathiyan, who also holds the record of bagging the first-ever table tennis medal for India at the Asian Games. 



However, due to the lockdown, Sathiyan is currently being assessed by coach S Raman virtually and the three have been working on his fitness regime.


Meanwhile, talking about his aspirations for the upcoming Games, 28-year-old says he would love to contest against the current world number 5 Tomokazu Harimoto, whom he has earlier defeated in 2019. 


"I would love to play against the crowd favorite Harimoto. To play against him in Japan at the Tokyo Olympics would be a great experience. However, I wouldn't want him early in the draw but a little later. If I can pull a big win, like how I defeated Harimoto earlier. It would be a memorable moment," said Sathiyan.  


"As we had done it in Asian Games, it's really important to have that belief. If we come out with a good draw and me bringing my A-game, a medal is definitely possible," the paddler concluded. 


The Tokyo Olympics is scheduled to be held from July 23 to August 8.