Scrap Airtel Half Marathon

The decision to hold the Airtel New Delhi Half Marathon in the Capital on November 29 is a mindless one.

At a time when the Delhi government has not given permission for coaching to resume at academies in the Capital and sporting activity is now restricted to only local parks, why the Delhi government has bent backwards for the Airtel Half Marathon is bizarre.

This website spoke to doctors (physicians, pulmonologists, infection specialists and cardiologists). The unanimous view of doctors is holding the Delhi run at this time of the year when the Covid-19 cases have gone out of control and the mortality numbers are also rising, is not a good decision. “The pollution levels are also not conducive for running, so why hold an event like this now,” said a leading Central Government doctor who is supervising the Covid-19 cases in the Capital.

After the Delhi government made a hash of the Covid-19 cases, the Central Government had to step in again,. They have flown in doctors and paramedics and also increase the ICU capacity.

So, at such a time, why would one want to hold a run which is not for inculcating habits of good health during the pandemic. It is well known by now that one is not supposed to run or indulge in any intense cardio activity wearing a mask. Surely, the Airtel Half Marathon organisers and people related with the event  are taking a needles risk.

Then again, it is not just about those who will run. There will be hundreds of volunteers, the route will have to be manned by Delhi Police, there will have to be watering points. All this can spark more cases of Covid-19. Assuming all the athletes are tested for Covid-19 under RT-PCR method, there are still risks involved.

It is well known the Delhi High Court has time and again slammed the Delhi Government headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kerjriwal for not handling the Corona virus crisis well enough. That is the reason why even the Chatth Pooja had to be curtailed.

When the Tokyo Olympics could be postponed to 2021 along with several other sporting events, what purpose is the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon going to serve? There is more to it than  meets the eye.

One hopes the event is put off, even if at the last minute for the sake of the health of people in Delhi.

For the record, even to intake students under sports quota in the Delhi University, this time no trials were held.