2016 Rio setback for India: Olympics shooter down in Lausanne

Courtesy: Facebook (@ChainSingh.OGQ)

New Delhi: Indian shooting team's 2016 Rio Olympics preparations suffered a major set-back on Thursday as Chain Singh found himself requiring medical care in Lausanne with pulmonary embolism and pneumonia.

The Army shooter – who will represent India in 50m rifle prone and 50m rifle 3 position events at the Rio Games – was reportedly admitted to a hospital in Lausanne yesterday.

The 27-year-old from Chanser in Doha district, won a bronze medal at the 2014 Asian Games at Incheon in men's 50m rifle 3 positions event.

According to Army Marksmanship Unit commanding officer Colonel Lalit Sharma, Chain is better now and will be ready to resume training in a few days.

"He has been admitted to the hospital and will stay there for a few days. He will be getting blood thinner for some days as a part of the treatment. But there is nothing to worry and according to the doctors, he can resume training after four to five days," Sharma is quoted as saying by TOI.

"He is being looked after well there. Gagan (Narang) is with him, so is an Olympic Gold Quest doctor. Also, the sports ministry is also helping by managing the finances for hospitalization and other expenses," he added.

Chain, who is training with Gagan and Apurvi Chandela along with coach Stanislav Lapidus in Lausanne, was supposed to fly to Rio on Sunday.

But now, he will have to stay there till August 1. "He is not allowed to fly as of now. He will be now joining the team by August 2," Sharma said.

The XXXI Olympiad starts on 5 August, with rifle shooting events starting the next day.

(With Agency inputs)